Victoria Police filed for industrial action last year in a pay dispute with the State Government. Photo: The Police Association of Victoria.
Negotiations between Victoria Police and the Police Association of Victoria (TPAV) over a new pay deal have hit a hurdle after Chief Commissioner Shane Patton told staff a proposed rostering system was rejected.
The TPAV began industrial action in December after discussing pay and conditions with Victoria Police for more than six months. Union secretary Wayne Gatt said at the time that members were “burnt out, stressed out and suffering”.
One of the key policies in dispute was a recommendation to allow frontline officers to work nine-hour shifts and nine-day fortnights.
Despite an independent mediator backing the call, Chief Commissioner Patton told staff earlier this week that Victoria Police is not able to accept the recommendation.
“While we’ve worked tirelessly to find a middle ground that addresses (the union’s) request for nine-hour shifts without compromising our ability to keep both the community and you safe, the recommendations presented to us – and I’m disappointed to say it – falls short,” said Mr Patton.
“Myself and executive command have real concerns in respect to each of those criteria being able to be met on 9×9 rostering.”
The Chief Commissioner said their ability to implement the policy also rested on there not being large increases to costs. Victoria Police estimated a $3 million price tag during a parliamentary committee hearing, while TPAV claimed it wouldn’t need a dollar.
According to the AAP, both sides have been asked to make submissions to Industrial Relations Victoria by today (22 May) prior to entering arbitration.
During an interview with ABC Radio on Tuesday (21 May), Mr Gatt said the change was not only possible, but already happening. The police union secretary said frontline officers were working longer shifts and taking off the time made available through this extra commitment.
“I can’t accept the Chief Commissioner’s assertion that the sun will fall out of the sky because we do something that modernises policing in Victoria,” said Mr Gatt. “It’s simply not true.”
In a survey commissioned by TPAV last year, RMIT and Swinburne researchers found 28 per cent of Victorian police officers were likely to leave the force within the next 12 months.
Mr Gatt said the Chief Commissioner’s decision might result in even further losses.
