By Kath Gannaway
POLICE across Yarra Ranges Shire will join colleagues in state-wide industrial action starting on Wednesday, 29 August.
Police members who spoke with the Mail last week overwhelmingly supported the ban but were keen to point out that work bans will not translate into a free-pass for law-breakers.
Although police as public servants are banned from making political comment in the press, a number of police said industrial action was a last straw measure to get a fair go for and parity with officers in other states.
The Police Association is seeking a five per cent pay rise but the government is offering 3.25 per cent.
“I certainly don’t think it’s an outrageous claim,” one officer told the Mail.
“By any measure it’s a difficult job and members need to be compensated for that in order to maintain a professional organisation.”
Another officer said police, like other emergency service providers, take their responsibility to the public seriously and are disadvantaged by that commitment when it comes to negotiating pay and conditions.
“You just can’t walk away in this job and this sort of action really is a last resort,” he said.
Police Association secretary Senior Sergeant Paul Mullett said the first phase of industrial action would effect the provision of statistical information to government departments and establishment of new community programs.
“Work bans will further escalate if a fair and reasonable pay agreement for police fails to progress,” he said.
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