Police consider possible strike options

By Andrew Hough

LONDON (Reuters) - Thousands of police officers are likely to be balloted later this week as to whether they want to have the right to strike, their union said Monday, as a bitter pay dispute with the government worsens.

More than 140,000 officers from across the country will be balloted on Wednesday over whether they should have the right to strike, the Police Federation said.

Despite police being banned from striking under laws introduced in the mid 1990s, the federation wants to explore the idea of officers being able to walk off the job.

The proposals stem from a row with the government, which officers claim has reneged on a pay rise agreed by an independent arbitrator.

The Home Secretary, Jacqui Smith, last week announced that officers would receive the 2.5 percent increased offer set by the independent Police Arbitration Tribunal.

But in a decision that has sparked wide-spread outrage, Smith said it would be paid in December, rather than backdated to September, which had been expected.

"I have a responsibility to ensure pay settlements are affordable and consistent with government pay policy, including the maintenance of low inflation," she said.

"I have therefore decided that the award should be implemented on December 1, rather than September 1."