Victoria’s police officers reject Allan government’s pay deal

Victoria’s police force has rejected the introduction of a landmark nine-day fortnight as part of a $500m deal, with the threat of industrial action back on the table.

The outcome is a big win for Chief Commissioner Shane Patton who publicly rallied against the introduction of the nine-day fortnight. Picture: Jason Edwards

Victoria’s 21,000 police staff have rejected the introduction of a landmark nine-day fortnight for frontline cops as part of a $500m deal to end its long-running pay dispute.

The move means the pay dispute with the Allan government continues, but sources say its too soon to know whether or not the introduction of a nine-day fortnight is now dead.

Police association secretary, Wayne Gatt, said he would work to ascertain why members rejected the deal which included a 16 per cent pay rise over four years.

“Today, a majority of members voted against a proposed agreement that was put to them in good faith to address unhealthy and long-standing poor workplace practices including unpaid work, inflexible rostering and a lack of time to complete essential paperwork.

“It also sought to deliver significant pay rises that would help retain and recruit police and PSOs and keep the job attractive and viable.

Some 57 per cent of Victorian officers voted to reject the deal. Picture: David Crosling

“What is clear is that the majority of members felt that they could not endorse the proposed agreement.

“What is unclear is precisely why. We will get to work to understand why and act upon it. We will now reengage in negotiations with the State Government and Victoria Police.”

Police industrial action was paused in December after a breakthrough in negotiations saw the state government, Victoria Police and the Police Association agreeing to implement the new nine-day model.

In May police union members voted to accept the phased-in introduction of nine hour shifts by 2028.

It would have given police an extra 22 days off a year, a 16 per cent pay rise over four years, the addition of two new allowances and a transition to predictable rostering.

However 57 per cent of police on Friday rejected the deal, in what one source described as “madness”.

The decision could see police take nenewed industrial action.

The move forces the parties back into negotiations and could ultimately see renewed industrial action however union sources said that wasn’t imminent.

Mr Gatt said he remained focused on resolving negotiations quickly.

“A core tenet of these negotiations will remain the need to address the systemic practices that are causing illness and injury to our members and driving them to leave policing for other careers, to the detriment of the community,” he said.

The rejected pay deal is a big win for Chief Commissioner Shane Patton who publicly rallied against the introduction of the new rostering system.

He said it would threaten community safety, force station closures and stretch police resourcing to the limit.

A police spokesperson said: “A majority of employees have voted to reject the agreement.

“The result was 57 per cent “No” compared with 43 per cent “Yes”.

“We will now resume discussions with the Police Association Victoria to work through next steps.

“The community should be assured frontline policing services will continue to be provided.”

Police minister Anthony Carbines said the government would continue work to reach an agreement.

“We will always back our hard-working and dedicated police members and PSOs and the incredible work they do to keep Victorians safe,” he said.