10 EBA Update
You voted
‘YES’
to industrial action
F
“It is a resounding result.”
With those words Secretary
Paul Mullett announced the
results of the secret ballot
to the media.
Secretary Paul Mullett announced the ballot
result to the media.
or the ballot to be a success
50 percent plus one of our
membership had to participate.
This would have been around 5,500
members.
The ballot participation was well
over the prescribed amount with
8,565 members of the Federation
voting. Of these 8,451 voted in
favour of taking industrial action
with just 109 members voting
against any action. This was a
result of almost 99 percent. This
September 2007 The Police Association Journal
Photography www.gregnoakes.com
was the greatest return of any
union membership and the greatest
‘yes’ vote since the introduction of
the WorkChoices legislation.
Since the introduction of the
legislation there have been 160
protected action secret ballots,
like this one. Only six have failed.
Of the 154 successful ballots the
average ‘yes’ vote was 86 percent,
lower than the Association’s result.
Even though it was a huge
success for the Association, sending
www.tpav.org.au
11
a very clear message to the
Brumby Government, there was
disappointment in that the union
had to take this action.
“It is regrettable in some respect
that our members have to take
industrial action to achieve a fair
and reasonable outcome for their
pay and conditions, but they are
resolute,” said Paul Mullett.
“This demonstrates the solidarity
and unity of police officers in
Victoria who want a fair and
www.tpav.org.au
reasonable outcome.”
The secret ballot gave the
Association a clear mandate to
commence industrial action.
Because of the unfair WorkChoices
legislation, notice of any industrial
action had to be lodged with the
Australian Industrial Relations
Commission.
With the result of the secret
ballot, the Association lodged notice
that industrial action would begin
on August 26.
“We want to make it clear that
the action is not designed to
compromise community health,
safety or welfare. Bans such as the
non-processing of red light camera
fines, speed camera fines, the nonprocessing of government statistical
data, government information,
government files, non-attendance
at courts and non-attendance at
sporting events through voluntary
duty arrangements are clearly
aimed at the government.”
The Police Association Journal September 2007
12
Paul Mullett told the media that
police will not be intimidated by
the threat to dock members pay for
taking part in industrial action.
“We won’t be threatened. Our
members have shown their resolve
and strength. We won’t be bullied
by the State Labor Government.”
It is unbelievable that a State
Labor Government would support
the WorkChoices legislation
- a legislation that is unfair
and undemocratic. The State
Government would be docking the
pay of average Victorians. Police are
drawn from the community. They
have mortgages to pay and families
to feed.
“They might have to consider
taking second jobs to if they are
identified as having taken action.
If they have to take second jobs it
is a police strike by stealth. They
will have to move away from
the job they love to provide for
their families. John Howard and
John Brumby are on the cusp
of conspiring to compromise
community safety in the State
of Victoria.”
Around the time of the secret
ballot the Queensland government
reached a pay deal with their police
showing that it is possible to reach
a workable and mutually beneficial
agreement.
The Police Association called
on Premier Brumby to follow the
leadership and understanding
demonstrated by the Queensland
Premier and put an end to the
dispute.
When the ballot result was
announced the Association was
hopeful that the dispute could
be resolved before the August 21
introduction of work bans.
“The issue is clearly in the hands
of the Victorian State Government.
John Brumby can demonstrate
leadership and his decisiveness by
resolving the dispute.”
Members will phase in the
implantation of work bans
numbers 1 to 11 from Sunday,
August 26. Depending on the
progress of our pay negotiations,
members will escalate the
industrial action by implementing
work bans 12 to 22.
Members walk with Paul Mullett to the Australian Electoral Commission offices to collect the ballot result.
September 2007 The Police Association Journal
www.tpav.org.au
13
Work Bans
1.
Members not to provide
information or advice, other
than in an operational
context, to other government
departments or agencies;
2. Members are not to attend
newly formed government
working parties or committees;
3. Members are not to answer
Ministerial correspondence;
4. Members to ban the
preparation and provision of
statistical information to the
Victoria Police Force, Force
Management or Government;
5. Members to ban establishing
new community programs;
6. Members to ban unpaid
overtime;
7. Members to observe meal breaks;
8. Members to ban the use
of email;
9. Members not to perform
duties outside their position
description;
10. Members shall only make
themselves available for recall
to duty if they are in receipt
www.tpav.org.au
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
of availability or on call
allowance. The minimum of
two members to be recalled on
any occasion;
Members not to initiate
disciplinary action pursuant to
Part IV, Division 2 of the Police
Regulation Act 1958;
Members not to attend court as
informant or witness other than
in reply to a subpoena;
Members not to serve subpoenas
or transport witnesses for the
Office of Public Prosecutor;
Members not to issue
infringement notices as a
result of speed cameras, red
light cameras or city toll
infringements. Members not to
forward speed camera and red
light camera film for processing;
Member shall process shop
lifting and drug offences by
summons only;
Members shall not execute
warrants other than arrest
warrants for indictable offences
and search warrants. Members
17.
18.
•
•
•
19.
20.
21.
22.
shall not assist the Sheriff’s
Office in executing warrants;
Members shall not volunteer to
perform voluntary duties under
clause 3.16 of the Victoria Police
Force Certified Agreement 2001;
Members shall not complete:
Returns in respect to the
business plan;
Monthly returns; and
Performance Enhancement
Program Assessments;
Members shall not attend
management meetings
or meetings under the
Management Intervention
Model;
Members are not to dispense
medication to adult prisoners
or escort adult prisoners from
watchhouse to watchhouse;
Members performing
operational duties must work
two up other than one member
stations and special solo
members; and
Members shall not perform
fatigue duties.
The Police Association Journal September 2007