999 staff call off strike action
3:22pm Monday 14th July 2008
POLICE staff who answer 999 calls in Hampshire have called off strike action following last minute negotiations.
Workers from Hampshire Constabulary's Control Centre, based in Netley, were planning to stage a 36-hour walkout starting on Thursday evening and ending on Saturday.
But the protest - over changes in work patterns - has been called off as the union that represents the staff wants further consultation with its members.
A statement released by public service union, UNISON, said: "The decision to suspend industrial action has been taken due to the shift arrangements in place at the control centre, as it is not possible to consult fully with all UNISON members prior to the proposed commencement date for industrial action this Thursday."
The Control Centre is the operations centre for all radio communications across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.
Staff are responsible for dealing with 999 calls and deploying response to incidents across the two counties.
More than 100 workers were due to take part in the strike after Unison and police bosses failed to reach agreement during crisis talks last week.
UNISON is due to start a further period of consultation with its members which will start today and end on July 25.