Drivers to be warned by Victoria Police about speed camera locations, in new pay deal fight

Victorian police will plaster slogans on vehicles and warn drivers of speed camera locations as they resume war with the Allan government in their fight for a new $840m pay deal.

Victorian police are demanding a new $840m pay deal.

Victorian police are demanding a new $840m pay deal and will resume war with the Allan government with fresh industrial action to begin next week.

Police will plaster slogans on vehicles, warn motorists of speed camera locations, protest at government premises and erect posters at police stations.

They are also considering quickly ramping up industrial action in a bid to bring the long-running pay dispute to an end.

It comes amid protracted pay negotiations with the state’s firefighters and paramedics that could force the government to find an estimated $1.5bn to end the long-running disputes.

Police last month rejected the introduction of nine hour shifts and a nine-day fortnight for frontline cops as part of a $500m deal that had been agreed to by force command and the state government.

A fresh log of claims is calling for six per cent annual pay rises over the next four years.

It would have given them an extra 22 days off a year and a 16 per cent pay rise over four years.

Now a fresh log of claims is calling for 6 per cent annual pay rises over the next four years as well as the introduction of new 8.5 hour shifts.

It will mean 14 extra days off a year.

Based on latest available figures the deal is expected to add at least $210m to the force’s annual $3.2bn wages bill.

Police Association secretary Wayne Gatt said negotiations had stalled.

“A fortnight ago, TPAV delegates voted on behalf of our 17,500 police and PSO members to redraft a log of claims for our next EBA that incorporates a 6 per cent annual pay rise over the next four years and an end to unpaid work at the beginning and end of shifts,” he said.

“Our members have seen other workers receiving higher pay rises and they feel that the nature and importance of their work to the community, should be held in the same regard and attract the same rewards.

“This revised claim was served on Victoria Police and the government.

“Victoria Police responded by tearing up everything previously agreed to in the proposed EBA and sending negotiations back to square one.

Motorists will be told about speed camera locations as part of the police campaign.

A radar camera.

“The government has not increased its financial offer to police and PSOs.

“As a result, our Delegates have voted to resume phase 1 industrial action measures from next week and conduct a ballot of members regarding the escalation to phase 2 measures in coming weeks.”

The planned industrial action comes amid protracted pay disputes with the state’s firefighters and paramedics.

The militant United Firefighters Union has rejected the offer of a 12 per cent pay increase over four years and thousands of dollars in cash bonuses under a new wage deal.

Instead it is fighting for a 25 per cent over three years as well as an additional $117m in bonuses.

The state’s paramedics have been fighting for almost 18 months for a better pay deal, improved end of shift management provisions so paramedics can finish their shift on time, and better rural resourcing.

They also want the introduction of shorter night shifts and improved staffing levels to manage resourcing, meal breaks, and crew welfare.

The union has rejected an offer of a 3 per cent salary increase and a $1800 lump sum payment at the end of each year of the agreement in a move backed by more than 85 per cent of members.

In June the government signed a mammoth $1bn pay deal for nurses, giving them a 28 per cent pay rise which has become a benchmark for emergency service workers to follow.

The current police workplace agreement expired last November, with police staging industrial action between December and May when police union members voted to accept the phased-in introduction of nine hour shifts by 2028.

However 57 per cent of police later rejected the deal forcing parties back into negotiations.

Deputy Premier Ben Carroll on Saturday dodged multiple questions about the planned union action, repeating that the government would continue to “work in good faith” with Victoria Police.

“We will continue to ensure that good faith negotiations progress,” he said.

Asked whether a billion dollar deal struck with the nursing union earlier this year had set the bar too high for other emergency services, Mr Carroll said there was “always a negotiation”.

“This is always best when both parties come to the table in good faith,” he said.

Victoria Police refused to comment.