Vic: Police hold out hope of breakthrough in industrial dispute

AAP General News (Australia)
08-10-2001
Vic: Police hold out hope of breakthrough in industrial dispute

By Royal Abbott

MELBOURNE, Aug 10 AAP - Victoria's police union and senior officers are hopeful of
a weekend breakthrough in a pay dispute ahead of planned industrial action on Sunday.

While the Police Association said talks on a new pay structure had broken down, both
the union and senior officers held out the hope of a weekend breakthrough in the dispute.

In the first campaign of industrial action by rank and file officers in 25 years, police
intend to initiate 22 work bans from midnight on Sunday.

Police Association secretary Senior Sergeant Paul Mullett today apologised to the Victorian
community over the forthcoming action and reassured the public that the industrial campaign
would not affect public order.

He said the bans were aimed at inconveniencing the government, rather than the public.

"The action to be taken will not endanger the life, personal safety, health or welfare
of the Victorian community," Sen Sgt Mullett said.

The proposed bans involved police issuing warnings instead of penalty notices for traffic,
public transport or liquor offences and a ban on officers making court appearances without
being subpoenaed.

Chief Commissioner Christine Nixon said today she hoped the opposing sides could find
a mutually acceptable middle ground before midnight Sunday.

"I'd hope that between here and then we may well be able to meet," Ms Nixon said.

"We may well be able to continue negotiations and put off the proposed action."

In the meantime, she said contingency plans were being developed to ensure there was
no risk to public safety.

Victorian police want a new pay structure to entitle them to the same pay rates as
their NSW counterparts.

This would require pay rises of between 13 and 39 per cent, considerably more than
the force's offer of 11 per cent over three years.

Chief Commissioner Nixon today described that offer as generous and urged officers
to reconsider their threat.

"I would urge all police to examine the offer and recognise that it is an extremely
generous and realistic pay offer," she said.

"It's time to talk - it's not a time for industrial action."

Snr Sgt Mullett said talks, which began in June, broke down after the government walked
away from the negotiating table.

He said the association planned to escalate bans if next week's industrial action failed
to win concessions on the pay offer.

Meanwhile, police today warned that the looming bans did not offer people the opportunity
to drink and drive with impunity.

Random breath testing stations in the form of booze buses would be out and about as
normal next week.

AAP ra/gfr/cjh/sb

KEYWORD: POLICE NIGHTLEAD

2001 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.