POLICE officers at Frankston Police Station walked off the job last week to protest for a pay rise. Police Association Victoria members working at the station staged a 30 minute walk-out on 19 November as part of industrial action. They are seeking a six per cent pay rise per annum over the next four years, and an end to unpaid work.
Police across the state staged walk-outs last week as part of the strike. Police Association secretary Wayne Gatt said “we don’t want Victoria Police to wash its hands of our members’ future, we want it to return to the negotiating table and have some involvement in looking after its workforce.”
“With over 1000 vacancies, 800 plus members off sick and more police leaving than entering the building that will host today’s walkout, Victoria Police needs to take ownership here and correct the ship that is currently sailing off course,” Gatt said. “Don’t complain about your lack of resources and close 43 stations down to rationalise your troops and then throw your hands up and say ‘this is a problem for someone else to fix’. “Our members want Victoria Police to stop being part of the problem and instead, to return to the bargaining table and be part of the solution to this dispute.”
Further action is planned if the pay dispute is not resolved. Frankston MP Paul Edbrooke was contacted for comment. Liberal MP for the South-Eastern Metropolitan region Ann-Marie Hermans says she is “pleased to support Frankston Police in their stance against the Allan Labor Government which continues to disrespect Victoria Police by forcing them to fight for a fair pay deal through the Fair Work Commission.”
“Instead of the Premier coming to the table to negotiate, this government is forcing police to protest through stop-work action in order to be heard,” she said. “Victoria Police respond to emergency calls to protect all Victorians when they need it most. It is time for Premier Jacinta Allan and police minister Anthony Carbines to return to the negotiating table so our police can return to work to keep our communities safe.”
First published in the Frankston Times – 26 November 2024