Breakaway police group launches legal challenge to overturn century-long ban on joining unions
The National Police Association this week launched a legal challenge to the law which stops officers from unionising.
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Unionsation, and in turn industrial action, by officers has been illegal since 1919 amid fears law and order would collapse if police took to the streets in protest.
Instead of unions, officers are represented by the Police Federation.
For its part, the Federation has rubbished calls from the National Police Association, claiming it is made up of disgruntled officers trying to create a separate body
The Federation told LBC: "A rival staff association would weaken officers’ rights by splitting our collective voice.
“It would dilute negotiating power, drive up costs, and leave officers with inconsistent support across forces.
“At a time of rising demand and major reform, officers need unity, not fragmentation."
The NPA told LBC it has no intention to pursue strike action at this time and accused the Police Federation of ignoring officers' calls for industrial rights.
A statement read: "Our mission is to find a political or legal resolution to the blanket ban/statutory monopoly on police officer representation. A ban which is not only out of step with all other public sector or private workers in the UK, but is also at odds with the Government's own narrative around better employee protections, rights and representation as set out in its Employment Rights bill.
"The question of Industrial rights/right to strike is often mentioned within policing and has been the feature of at least three national membership polls in the last two decades.
"The latest took place in 2024 when the Police Federation of England and Wales polled its membership. That poll, like the two before it, returned a result indicating its membership would be in favour of pursuing those rights. The fact the Federation has so far ignored that mandate is further evidence as to why it is failing in its statutory function.
"The NPA is not yet officially recognised and whilst it has a significant police officer following, no official canvassing or polling has taken place to provide a mandate on this question. Therefore it is misleading to suggest we have 'strike action' as a stated aim or as something which we are considering pursuing."