Met Police staff including 999 call handlers vote to strike over return to office working

Metropolitan Police staff have voted to go on strike for the first time over plans to cut back on the time they can work from home.

The Public and Commercial Services union (PCS) said there was “overwhelming support for the action”.

It would be the first time Met Police employees, which is believed could include 999 call handlers and child protection officers, have ever voted for a walkout.

PCS said 85% of its members backed strike action after being told they would need to return to the office in the new year and 91% voted for action short of a walkout.

They are desk-based civilians who work from home just as productively as if they were in the office, but without the stress and cost of a daily commute

PCS general secretary Fran Heathcote

A vote was taken after managers reversed an existing agreement on blended working, which allowed people to work from home for part of the week, the union said.

Some 2,400 civilian workers who support the day-to-day operations of police officers would be affected by the policy shift, which disproportionately impacts women, part-time workers and those with disabilities, the PCS adds.

The union says the new police requires staff to work in the office for between 60% and 100% of the time.

PCS general secretary Fran Heathcote said: “Our members are not bobbies on the beat.

“They are desk-based civilians who work from home just as productively as if they were in the office, but without the stress and cost of a daily commute.

“It’s time politicians and the right-wing media stopped their obsession with telling people where they have to work and started listening to the evidence of academics, employers and employees that shows working from home is a perfectly viable option for many people.”

The Metropolitan Police have been contacted for a response.

A spokesperson is quoted in the Telegraph as saying: “Our plans will provide consistency across the Met and ensure we can deliver for our communities.

“Although the threshold for strike action has been met, it doesn't have to go ahead and we urge our staff and the union not to take further action.”