WA police officers set to reject second pay offer amid union talks

Police officers are set to reject a second wage offer from the Government as part of a prolonged negotiation with the Union.

Members are not positive about the new agreement.

After five weeks of low-level industrial action, the Police Union sent the Government’s second offer to its members on Wednesday.

The offer included a one-per cent increase in pay to 12.5 per cent over three years.

Other changes in the second offer include a 20 per cent increase to the shift allowance and additional payments for regionally based officers in charge.

However, Union president Paul Gale said the initial response from members over the first 24 hours had not been positive.

“I don’t think it’s gone far enough to recognise and acknowledge the work that we’re doing, the stress and the certainly the scrutiny that we’re under, and the fact that we are still well short of the numbers required to police this state appropriately,” he said.

“The response thus far has been similar to what the response was in the first offer, based on our responses, and at the moment, I can say that it’s not positive.”

Mr Gale said members wanted an agreement before the March State election campaign, admitting that negotiations were closer to a resolution.

“I would like to think that the government come to their senses and understand that their police force is bleeding.

“Their only law enforcement agency is up against it. They need some proper recognition, and the sooner they do that, the sooner they can get into their election mode.

“I think we are getting there. But to say that we’re close, that’ll depend on what the membership response is to this.”

As part of the industrial action, officers started and finished on time, took their entitled meal break, and completed jobs before commencing the next one.

While further industrial action was up to the membership, Mr Gale said police started “behind the eight ball” in negotiations because officers were banned from striking.

“As far as when you look at other public sector workforces, we are governed by legislation that doesn’t allow us to take those kinds of measures in industrial activity,” he said.

“But you know, when we talk about Goodwill, there’s a very good start, because we provide and give so much without getting what we expect from the government in return.”