By Prealene Khera
Mill Park police officers recently walked off the job for 30 minutes, following stalled negotiations over improved pay and work conditions.
Police Association members stopped work at 10 am on November 28, in a bid to bring Victoria Police and the state government back to the negotiating table.
The union in a statement outlined members’ frustration over failure to secure a pay rise of six per cent per annum across four years, and an end to unpaid work.
Victoria Police has applied to the Fair Work Commission to have the enterprise bargaining agreement dispute declared “intractable”, and has requested the commission to determine the “financial and working future” of police and protective services officers (PSOs)”.
“We don’t want Victoria Police to wash its hands of our members’ future, we want it to return to the negotiating table and have some involvement in looking after its workforce,” the union said.
“With over 1000 vacancies, 800 plus members off sick… Victoria Police needs to take ownership here and correct the ship that is currently sailing off course.
“Don’t complain about your lack of resources and close 43 stations down to rationalise your troops and then throw your hands up and say ‘this is a problem for someone else to fix’.
“Our members want Victoria Police to stop being part of the problem and instead, to return to the bargaining table and be part of the solution to this dispute.”
In Mill Park, union members unanimously passed a motion condemning the government for “its deplorable handling of… wage negotiations” and reiterated their demand for fair pay and conditions “but above all, respect”.
A state government spokesperson said it had delivered a record $4.5 billion for Victoria Police and sought the assistance of the Fair Work Commission in progressing bargaining.
“Victoria Police officers play a critical role in protecting the community and saving lives, and we are grateful for their vital service to the state,” the spokesperson said.
