Police reception staff to strike

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About 200 reception officers at London police stations are planning a 24-hour strike in protest at plans to replace them with community support officers.

The Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union said members will walk out on 28 January over the plans.

A union spokesman said police reception officers are specially trained to deal with the public.

The Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) said the move will increase the number of people able to deliver the service.

PCS official Sevi Yesilldali, said: "Station reception staff are often the first point of contact in dealing with people reporting a crime and have specialist knowledge and experience which is invaluable in the smooth running of the capital's police stations."

We have proposed what is undoubtedly a good offer, and had been adapting, having listened to the issues raised by the PCS MPS spokesman

General secretary Mark Serwotka added: "The Met Police need to recognise the important work of reception officers and that the job of community support officers is out in our communities supporting the police."

An MPS spokesman said the service had been looking at the way in which it delivers front counter services to the public.

"Part of this includes the introduction of a new role of Station PCSO which will increase the number of people available to deliver this service and to enable us to deliver it from a wider range of more open locations," he said.

Cash payment

He said negotiations have taken place with the PCS Union and all current staff have been offered the opportunity to transfer to the new role, with a significant cash payment.

"We have proposed what is undoubtedly a good offer, and had been adapting, having listened to the issues raised by the PCS," he said.

"We are very disappointed that it is necessary to threaten industrial action."

The MPS spokesman said the force was keen to avert strike action and will continue to seek a way forward.