This New Year’s Eve strike by London Metropolitan Police contact centre workers and staff is a serious disruption, especially given the scale of police activity on such a significant night.
It’s notable that the Met Police workers are the only ones in the UK who haven’t received a pay rise for 2025/26, which is causing frustration, especially since other forces have implemented the 4.2% pay increase for both officers and staff.
From the details provided, it seems that while the Met is offering pay raises, they’re conditional, and the conditions offered in the second proposal are seen as detrimental to workers’ rights and terms. That’s why the strike is happening—essentially, it’s not just about pay, but also about maintaining working conditions. The Met seems to be trying to balance financial constraints and staffing needs, but this is clearly leading to tensions.
The timing of the strike couldn’t be worse. New Year’s Eve is one of the busiest and most important dates for the Met, with the added challenge of policing large public events like the fireworks and the usual high volume of nightlife activities.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said:
“It is unacceptable that our members in the Met are the only workers in UK police forces that have not yet had their pay rise.
“It is a disgrace that the Met has dangled the carrot of a pay rise but is also offering the stick of attacks on workers’ terms and conditions. Unite won’t allow our members’ conditions to worsen and the workers have the union’s full support throughout this dispute.”
Last year, the Met spent £2.3 million on policing the night, so this strike will definitely cause significant disruption, especially for emergency services.
