Zarah ChoudharyPublic and Commercial Service Union (PCS) members working in the Met Police Service (MPS) have taken part in industrial action short of strike in their dispute over a return to offices from 6th January.
PCS members have been working under a Blended Working policy since 2021, which enables managers and their teams to agree on days to be worked in the office and at home.
MPS management announced at the end of 2023 that it would replace the Blended Working policy with a Hybrid Working policy, which mandates staff to be in an office workplace for 60% or more of their working hours.
The PCS union claimed that MPS management failed to produce evidence to support why the change is needed, and did not consult with trade unions.
In December 2024, after PCS served notice of our intention to take industrial action, MPS management allegedly responded by threatening to dock members’ pay and take disciplinary action.
Management wrote to PCS to say that a Supreme Court ruling stating that trade union members taking industrial action short of strike are protected from detriment under Article 11 of the European Convention of Human Rights, was not to be applied.
PCS has engaged with Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS) in an effort to facilitate talks.
More than 700 PCS members attended an online solidarity rally, with general secretary Fran Heathcote and national president Martin Cavanagh.
Heathcote said: “This dispute is easy to resolve, if the employer is willing to work with PCS to find an agreed way forward.
“Our members have demonstrated that their current blended approach works effectively, with a positive impact on productivity.
“No evidence has been provided to the contrary.
“To seek to change that approach, with no genuine engagement over the impact that change will have on their own staff, is short-sighted.
“We urge MPS to now talk to PCS about finding a resolution that benefits everyone.”
Workplace Journal reached out to MPS for comment prior to publication.
