A three-day strike by PSNI civilian staff over danger money payments has been averted.
The industrial action was due to take place from July 11-13, one of the busiest periods for policing in Northern Ireland when annual Orange Order and Royal Black Preceptory parades take place as well as loyalist bonfires.
But the trade union Nipsa said on Tuesday that an “interim agreement” had been reached with the PSNI over the revised environmental allowance (REA).
It is a payment which reflects the risks attached to the roles undertaken by PSNI staff members.
Police civilian staff have been calling for the delivery of an uplift to their £580 annual REA, known as danger money allowance, that was committed to five years ago.
In comparison, PSNI officers currently receive just under £4,000 annually in acknowledgement of the ongoing threat they face.
A spokesperson for NIPSA said the union had been involved in “intensive negotiations to resolve the dispute” following the outcome of the ballot for industrial action and had now secured a funding package totalling £1.3m.
They added: “A series of meetings have taken place over the last few weeks with the chief constable, the Justice Minister for Northern Ireland and the Policing Board and these have led to the decision to postpone the planned strike action.
“It has been agreed that some of the terms on the business case, and a lump sum payment of REA, will be put in place as soon as possible.
“This interim measure will allow additional time to achieve full implementation of the business case and continue negotiations and as a result, the planned action has been called off and the PSNI staff will remain operational this week.
NIPSA secure £1.3m funding package for interim measure in REA dispute with the PSNI - Strike action is now postponed. pic.twitter.com/eOiIAgqDKd
— NIPSA (@nipsa) July 9, 2024
“This does not fully resolve the industrial dispute and the action short of strike action will continue and further strike action will be considered if necessary.
“However, NIPSA has been given assurances that REA will be prioritised for full resolution in the coming months and NIPSA remain committed to resolving this dispute through negotiation.”
