‘On like Donkey Kong’: Victoria Police Association members set to take industrial action
Slogans demanding better pay and working conditions will be painted on Victorian police cars as union members face off against the government over the “slash and burn mentality” in the force.
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Slogans demanding better pay and working conditions will be painted on police cars this weekend as the stand-off with the government for better working conditions reaches fever pitch.
Nearly 99 per cent of Police Association members — which includes 17,500 police officers and PSOs — voted in favour of taking industrial action on Friday should a new EBA not be negotiated by Thursday, November 30.
Chief among members demands include a four per cent wage increase and nine-hour work shifts to better accommodate a work life balance.
Police Association members met on Monday night to map out their industrial action which has been planned to kick off on Sunday morning.
Police Association secretary Wayne Gatt said the action against the government will be “on like Donkey Kong”.
“From Sunday 7am … our members will be telling the government exactly what they think about the way they’re dealing with and what needs to be done to correct the issues causing the slash and burn mentality in our police force,” he said.
There will be 19 “bans” applied simultaneously on Sunday by members which include “sitting off speed cameras”, alerting motorists to slow down, handing out flyers in public and bans on government briefings.
Slogans will also be painted on police vehicles which will be rolled out from Sunday.
“Our members armed with crayons in hand will take to their vehicles on Sunday at 7am and tell the government what they think of it.”
Mr Gatt said he was “yet to have a representative from the government” at a bargaining agreement negotiation.
“The door is locked at the moment and the government holds the key to open the door and get us out of here.
“Our members’ claims is a varied one and it is as much about pay rise as it is about conditions of employment. Our members have talked to significant volumes of unpaid work that they work every day.”
He said the four per cent wage increase was a “moderate ask” considering “many are doing the job of two people at stations”
Despite “intense negotiations” with Victoria Police since Friday, Mr Gatt said members are yet to receive a favourable offer from government.
But Police Minister Anthony Carbines said on Wednesday that he wasn’t concerned about the optics of the looming police strike.
Mr Carbines sought to distance the government from the matter, confirming it was not involved in the EBA negotiations.
“It’s really a matter for Victoria Police and the Police Association,” he said.
Mr Carbines said the government’s presence in negotiations had not been requested, and insisted it was “common” for the government to not have a seat at the table, despite being involved in previous EBA negotiations.
“I’m not concerned with what have been the arrangements under previous police ministers,” he said.
“The arrangements are very common and negotiations will be reached between the employer and employee.
“I’m in regular discussions with Victoria Police as well as the Police Association and I’m very familiar with where their negotiations are at but it’s got to be negotiated between the employer and the employee.”
Despite this, Mr Carbines remained tight-lipped about when he expected an agreement to be reached.
“I’m confident that an agreement will be reached as soon as possible,” he said.
Mr Carbines said he had been reassured any industrial action taken in the meantime would not impact public safety.
“I welcome the police association’s commitment to ensure that public safety won’t be affected by any protected action that they may choose to take.”
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