AFP union threatens industrial action over pay stoush, calling for parliament and airport shutdown
The AFP’s union is urging members to turn down a new pay agreement as it lobbies for better wage rises and considers drastic industrial action.
Breaking News
Don't miss out on the headlines from Breaking News. Followed categories will be added to My News.
A strike threat from the Australian Federal Police union could leave the sitting of federal parliament and regular airport operations in doubt.
The Australian Federal Police Association is urging its membership not to accept an 11.2 per cent wage rise agreement as it pushes for a better deal through threatened strike action after months of negotiations.
The union confirmed to NCA NewsWire, surveying of AFPA membership showed a perceived lack of appreciation from the Federal government towards its main administrative police force. The survey found 80 per cent of the 2206 surveyed were opposed to the current wage rise deal, and 87 per cent did not feel the government respected the AFP’s work and responsibilities.
Unlike other federal public service bodies, the AFP faces heavy legal restrictions in the industrial action it can take.
AFPA president Alex Caruana told The Australian the union was still consulting on the legality of walkouts from federal parliament, airports and other institutions given that further operations without an AFP presence would be an admission that the institution itself was “then taking on that risk”.
“If the airports continue to operate, the airports are then taking on that risk. If parliament chooses to sit, the parliament is then taking that risk,” Mr Caruana said to The Australian.
“We are currently getting legal advice as to whether or not under the AFP Act, that would be in breach of national security and a step too far.
“We will consider any measures necessary to get the point across to government and the AFP that they need to offer a fair wage deal for AFP members.”
In October the AFP pushed the Albanese government for a 20 per cent wage rise agreement over the next three years, after which the 11.2 per cent rise was proposed.
AFPA alleges it has gone from the highest to lowest paid police force over the past decade prior. Mr Caruana called the deal a “slap in the face” from the incumbent federal government.
“It’s also a bit of a slap in the face considering that we helped the Labor Party get the Closing Loopholes Bill over the line. We, as an association, feel as though we were used as a political pawn and we’ve got nothing to show for it,” he said.
“The Attorney-General himself has said he would like to see the AFP paid in the top 25th percentile of police forces in Australia. This offer clearly doesn’t recognise that.”
Mr Caruana argued that the AFP should not be treated the same as other public servants industrially given their limited avenues for striking, and that the union was taking legal consultation on how it could escalate a strike.
Mr Caruana said AFP officers were very limited in the industrial action they could take legally, which was another reason they should not be treated industrially like public servants who could take action more easily.
Also identified as sites for potential walkouts were the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation and the Holsworthy Barracks.
The ACT does not have a dedicated territory police force, and instead relies on AFP officers for a range of law enforcement matters. Community policing is managed by the AFP’s ACT Policing.
Workplace Relations Minister Tony Burke was contacted for comment.
Originally published as AFP union threatens industrial action over pay stoush, calling for parliament and airport shutdown
Uganda opposition figure Besigye appears in military court
Uganda opposition figure Besigye appears in military court
Call for ‘fashion waste shake-up’
Experts are calling for a “fashion waste shake-up” after a study found Aussie charity shops exported high-quality second-hand clothes to Europe, while resellers imported them back.