Vic: Melbourne police start work bans tomorrow

AAP General News (Australia)
08-25-2007
Vic: Melbourne police start work bans tomorrow

By Julie Tullberg

MELBOURNE, Aug 25 AAP - Thousands of police will start work bans in Melbourne tomorrow
following a breakdown in negotiations over a five per cent pay rise.

The industrial action comes after the Police Association's push for its members to
get the pay rise they believe is deserved.

But the Victorian government has been firm in negotiations, refusing to budge from
the 3.25 per cent pay increase.

The government has offered police a pay rise in line with its wages policy, and says
anything higher will need to be offset by productivity gains.

The first 11 of 22 work bans will take place tomorrow, from Geelong, south of Melbourne,
stretching across as far east as Pakenham.

Work bans include preventing statistics being sent to government departments, sending
emails and ministerial correspondence.

Police members' pay is at risk of being docked.

Police Association secretary, Senior Sergeant Paul Mullett, said industrial action
was the last resort for ordinary police who simply asked for decent pay and conditions.

"We had hoped this day wouldn't come," Sen-Sgt Mullett said.

"It is disappointing and regrettable that the government's inaction on this issue has
back us into this corner.

"Industrial action is tough and with the added risk of pay being docked, has the possibility
of putting real strain on ordinary working police and their families."

Almost 8,500 of the state's 11,000 officers voted, in a secret ballot required under
federal workplace laws, to impose the work bans from August 21.

Just 109 officers voted against the action, while five votes were informal.

Premier John Brumby has said industrial action is a normal part of enterprise bargaining
and he was not worried by it.

AAP jat/cjh/

KEYWORD: POLICE VIC

2007 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.