Victoria’s acting premier has issued an ultimatum to the police force after officers refused to issue on-the-spot fines in an escalation of their pay dispute.
Thousands of Victoria Police officers today vowed to stop dishing out the traffic fines indefinitely as part of escalating industrial action for better pay and working hours.
Almost 15,000 police officers this week voted to ramp up industrial action ahead of the AFL grand final next weekend, meaning a significant police presence could be missing from major events.
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Police Association Victoria secretary Wayne Gatt today said police would still patrol major events, but would be “paid full freight” instead of volunteering their time.
“Victoria Police have already had to respond to these bans by putting out calls for overtime, for paid overtime, for these events,” Gatt said.
“Community safety will never be compromised and our members will still proceed with matters that would otherwise compromise community or road safety,” he said.
“They’ll always bring offenders and hold them to account and bring them before the courts.”
If the action continues, it could also impact police presence at the spring racing carnival in November.
Acting Premier Tim Pallas has hit back, threatening to seek the support of the Fair Work Commission if a deal wasn’t struck imminently.
“It seems a little perverse they’re taking action against the community and the community interests as a consequence of their own failure,” Pallas said.
“We’re not going to see this as a game in the ongoing negotiation process.”
At the start of the month, police threatened to “sabotage” speed cameras and media conferences as part of their bid for a 24 per cent pay rise over the next four years.
Police association members are also bargaining for the introduction of 8.5-hour shifts.
In June, they rejected a deal to lock in three per cent pay rises and a nine-day fortnight.
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