First published Herald Sun 10/11/23
SHANNON DEERY
Victoria’s police union is waging war on the Allan government, proposing industrial action over failed enterprise bargaining agreement negotiations.
The state’s 17,800 unionised officers will vote next week to approve action, including plastering slogans on police cars and stopping ministerial briefings.
Members would also stop working overtime without claiming payments, stop work that did not affect community safety, and warn motorists of speed camera locations.
The union is fighting for a four per cent wage increase, as well as a “cost of living adjustment”. Victoria’s police union are waging war on the Allan government, proposing industrial action over failed enterprise bargaining agreement negotiations.
The state’s 17,800 unionised officers will vote next week to approve action, including plastering slogans on police cars and stopping ministerial briefings. Members would also stop working overtime without claiming payments, stop work that did not affect community safety, and warn motorists of speed camera locations.
The union is fighting for a 4 per cent wage increase, as well as a “cost of living adjustment”, and the introduction of nine-hour shifts.
It comes amid a protracted dispute with the militant firefighters union over a new wage deal for its members.
Police Association boss Wayne Gatt told the Herald Sun months of negotiations had failed. He guaranteed public safety would not be compromised as a result of any protected industrial action.
“Our members are overworked, underpaid and yet they’re always there when the community needs them most,” he said. “Victoria Police has stretched them so far to cover so many gaps, expected them to work unpaid overtime and sacrifice time with their families and friends on weekends and public holidays, and yet when it comes time to give a little bit back to members for their sacrifices, Victoria Police turns its back and says ‘no’.
“We need to make policing viable again, both from a financial and lifestyle perspective.
“Don’t make our members choose between the job and their family. Because at the moment, rightfully, there are many choosing their family.”
The current four-year workplace agreement expires on November 30, with any industrial action not able to start before then.
Victoria Police announced last week it would slash the opening hours of 43 police stations amid an ongoing resourcing crisis.
“How many more stations are we going to have to close or reduce capacity at?” Sergeant Gatt said. “How many more police and PSOs are we going to lose in the next four years if our members can’t see a brighter future ahead?”
In September the Herald Sun revealed concerns major crimes including sexual assaults were taking up to three years to be investigated because of staff shortages.
Stations were closing unexpectedly, intervention orders were not being served on time, and police vans were sitting empty.
More than 800 Victoria Police employees remain off duty on WorkCover while 500 police have left the force on average over the past four years. A study of 1039 Victorian officers by researchers at RMIT and Swinburne Universities found 55 per cent said they were likely to explore other career opportunities.
“Victoria Police has to rid itself of this slash-and-burn mentality. It’s slashing services to the community and burning members out,” Sergeant Gatt said. “This is a critical period in both regenerating police numbers and retaining the experience our communities call on each and every day in their hour of need.
“More of the same will lead to more of the same.” In 2019 police staged four days of industrial action after EBA negotiations broke down.
It ended after the union reached an agreement with the government guaranteeing 2 per cent annual wage increases and bonuses for higher ranked officers.
