State Government heads for arbitration in police pay dispute

7/9/06
Police Minister John Kobelke has confirmed that an application has been made to the Western Australian Industrial Relations Commission for an end to the bargaining period of the State police wage claim.
"The WA Police Service negotiators and State Government have been frustrated by the continued lack of negotiation by the WA Police Union over the current enterprise bargaining agreement," Mr Kobelke said.
"We have sought the help of the WAIRC to move along negotiations but the Police Union has refused to shift from its ambit claim.
"This would see taxpayers fork out some $600million over the next three years, on top of the $740million in wages and resources they already provided this year.
"If the WAIRC grants the request for a termination of the bargaining period next Wednesday, we can let the independent umpire decide a fair pay rate and conditions for our police men and women."
The Minister said despite weeks of meetings, there appeared no prospect of reaching an agreement with the Police Union.
Mr Kobelke said he was worried public safety would be put at further risk if the Police Union escalated its campaign.
"Last Monday's 'lock down', where police officers refused to arrest criminals unless they were committing life-threatening crimes, was dangerous, unwarranted and it clearly over-stepped the mark," he said.
"Refusing to issue traffic infringements is bad enough, but refusing to arrest criminals goes to the heart of what police officers are sworn to do and that is protect the public.
"Monday night's action was clearly a mistake and unnecessary."
Mr Kobelke said the State Government was seeking arbitration to have the dispute determined as soon as possible. A repeat of Monday night's action was plainly not in the public interest.
Minister's office - 9222 9211