Pay hike for police who work on shifts

Staff Reporter OFFICERS of the National Police force who operate radio-controlled patrol cars, and those who work on shifts for the force in the Balearics, will earn another 90 euros each month, starting with their January 2004 payslip. Police sources explained that this salary adjustment will apply to 13'500 officers, nearly a third of the National Police Force (CPN) who between them, amongst a variety of duties, manage the so-called Z cars, as well as the administration in offices where legal charges (denuncias) can be brought. The award means that 14.5 million euros will be charged to the police productivity budget, a payment package recognised since 2000. The same sources explained that Police management and the unions to which the largest numbers of National Police Force workers belong, have subscribed to the new pay and working arrangement, which came into force on 1 January this year. The sources added that its adoption supposes the recognition of the duty shift system, which in theory was eliminated in the year 2000 when such work was assimilated under the heading “productivity by objectives” with a concurrent change in the pay system. The issue was brought by some police unions before tribunals, believing that their remuneration might be prejudiced. So, four years later and following various favourable rulings, Police management is adjusting this month's payslip for duty shift workers to the tune of an extra 90 euros. This figure is separate from the pay to which they are entitled under the auspices of the “productivity” arrangement. Financing for the pay award has been approved through national budget channels. The agreement underwritten between management and unions of the National Police force resolves the problem of the officers who had been working on five shifts and were not receiving any financial compensation for doing so.