CHESHIRE Police staff need ‘down time’ to avoid ‘burn-out’, claims a union member ahead of a planned strike.

Staff at the force are due to strike on New Year’s Eve in a dispute over rest days.

The staff involved are members of UNISON, and are set to take 24 hours of strike action from 7am on New Year’s Eve.

A Unison spokesman said staff were very upset by management proposals to change rest day arrangements which will leave staff unable to plan their lives away from work and reduce their incomes.

Cheshire Police said the 24 hours chosen for the threatened strike include hours which are traditionally the busiest of the year in policing terms.

“This could be seen as a disproportionate and cynical act at a time when hard decisions are being taken to preserve service levels and local jobs,” said a force spokesman.

“I hope union leaders will rethink this threat and ensure industrial action does not put any members of the public at any increased risk.”

Police staff are employed in many roles including crime scene investigators, detention officers and 999 call takers. UNISON said staff work shifts on a rota basis, and at times of peak demand may currently be asked to volunteer to work on their scheduled rest days.

It said Cheshire Police bosses now want to be able to require staff to work on their rest days for no extra pay.

A communications operator at Cheshire Police headquarters said: “I get satisfaction from my job and enjoy serving the public. It’s not an easy job though, sometimes it’s very stressful and we need down time to avoid getting burnt out.

“We work 10-hour shifts on a rota and our rest days are like weekends to us. These are our days when we can arrange to see family or friends, or take a rest.

“I’m worried about being asked to work on my rest day when I have made long-standing plans. It’s worse for my colleagues with children.

“I have to use my overdraft every month and I’ve had to stop paying into the pension – I hope temporarily. I tend to volunteer to work on rest days when I have an unexpected or large household bill to pay. So when my boiler broke down I worked some extra days to be able to afford to repair it.

“Not having the chance to earn some extra money when I need it will be a problem and I’m worried about what I’d do next time I have an unexpected bill.

“The system was working well up until now. There would always be enough volunteers. People are very unhappy about the proposed changes and I fear some colleagues may decide to leave. I hope this can be resolved.”

Maria Moss, regional organiser for UNISON North West said: “I’ve rarely seen a group of staff who are so upset. Police staff work very hard and really need their rest days.

“The decision to strike has not been taken lightly or irresponsibly. The employer has been notified well in advance of the planned action and we will be open to agree contingency arrangements that ensure public safety.

“The changes to rest days are simply an attempt by Cheshire Police to make a saving at the cost of staff well-being. Bosses need to think again and ditch these damaging proposals.”

A Cheshire Police spokesman said staff who may be involved in the strike action are those who work shifts, which includes some call takers, forensic staff, PCSOs, Helpdesk staff and custody staff.

“The strike revolves around local terms and conditions relating to how much staff are paid for working on a cancelled rest day,” he said.

“At this time we do not know how many UNISON members may decide to take strike action. Senior managers have met to start planning the steps that would need to be taken should the strike go ahead.

“Over the next few days, managers of key departments will develop plans to maintain those services that protect the public from risk and harm.

“Police officer shifts will be reviewed and we will make some hard decisions about where we place our police officers and other staff resources in the event of a strike.

“The door is always open to further discussion with UNISON and we are keen to maintain a dialogue. However, we will continue to work hard develop contingency plans that make public protection our priority.”