October 2001 Volume 82 Number 10 "serving the protectors"
By Bernadette Zimmermann PASA committee member

The Victorian example

During the lead-up to the yes/no vote for EB3, I had some unusual debates with various members around the traps. This led some of us to become somewhat concerned that misinformation - and, in some cases, blatant rubbish - would influence many unsuspecting members.

However, many predicted a yes vote would get up, and it did. The yes vote was an excellent result, given that about seven out of 10 members voted that way. And no wonder. In the first 12 months of the new agreement, many operational members will receive about 8 - 9 per cent as a result of the added increment, the nightshift component and, of course, the base increase.

Now to look toward EB4. As members, we will be in quite a different position politically. In fact, I would suggest we would probably be in a political position similar to the one in which our counterparts in Victoria find themselves at the moment - dealing with a government about mid-term.

This changes everything. Members will need to be very strong in any subsequent claim. Misinformation or mischievous activity will splinter any attempt at solidarity and render any claim impotent. Victorian police then, are in a position to show us how to progress a claim when offers don’t come easy.

I attended the Police Association (Victoria) annual conference in September. Members in Victoria have rejected their offer and are now before the Industrial Relations Commission after the government sought to end the bargaining period.

It is a very interesting time for not only our Victorian colleagues, but also the leadership these members will seek in the ensuing period. Not easy times, but one thing was quite evident to me - they are completely united in their claim. There was a strong feeling of support for their leadership, and the industrial action they were taking - and will continue to take. Without this, they would be completely powerless. They will need to keep this going. I guess that is where the test will lie.

They are certainly up to it. They have gathered excellent information on the conditions under which they are currently working. The outcome of this analysis totally justifies their claim.

Victoria’s police force is the only one operating under the Federal Workplace Relations Act, so I saw how differently they have to pitch their campaign. However, it was encouraging to be in a room of so many cops who are united about their claim. Good luck to them. They are in a strong position to succeed because they believe in the worth of their work.

South Australian members should keep a close watch on how this unfolds. The success of our next claim might just lie in the lessons we learn from the current Victorian situation.

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