Talks have been continuing with the police employers during the preparation for our industrial action over the 2014 pay dispute. In order to enable these positive talks to continue, UNISON, Unite and GMB have asked the employers to extend the period in which we can call industrial action to the end of January. This extension has been agreed, and as a result we have agreed to withdraw the industrial action scheduled before Christmas.

The extension of the period in which we can call industrial action provides a ‘window’ of opportunity for our negotiators to see if we can get an improved offer which we could recommend to members. We will know this very early in the New Year.

Sharon Holder, GMB National Officer, added “It was always GMB’s view that this dispute should be resolved around the negotiating table and we are pleased that this can now take place.”