PSNI staff call off ‘danger pay’ strike

A planned strike by about 1,500 police officers has been postponed after a “provisional agreement” was reached, the Nipsa union said.

The dispute concerns so-called danger money payments, the so-called new environmental allowance.

Nipsa said the breakthrough was the result of discussions in recent days with Justice Minister Naomi Long and Police Commissioner Jon Boutcher.

The staff’s duties include answering calls and working at crime scenes and in detention cells.

In a statement, Nipsa said the dispute had not yet been fully resolved and that some measures (other than work stoppages) would continue.

The 24-hour strike on July 11 and further actions on July 12 and 13 were cancelled.

The transition agreement provides for a one-off payment of around £500 to each employee until a longer-term solution is found.

The PSNI has around 2,200 civilian staff and the total cost of the operation will be around £1.3 million.

“Unacceptable” situation

“We have been assured that the granting of the allowance will be given priority in the coming months to bring about a complete solution,” a Nipsa spokesman said.

The danger allowance of around £600 a year has remained largely unchanged for 30 years.

It is paid in addition to salary to reflect the terrorist threat faced by all members of the Police Service of Northern Ireland.

The equivalent salary for civil servants is around £4,000.

Nipsa described the situation as “unacceptable”.

Although Ms Long and Mr Boutcher support an increase, there are issues around affordability.