Police angered by ban on striking

Press, 15 April 1980, Page 6

Police angered by ban on striking

Christchurch policemen believe they are being “walked all over” by the Government because they prohibited by law from striking.

“If we, as an association, are going to continue to be loyal-to our department and the public, the Government must take our claims seriously .and negotiate with us on penal rates and overtime,” said a spokesman for the Christchurch district committee of the New Zealand Police Association yesterday. In another. district, members of the association had voted for .direct . action in support, of pay claims, .and some Christchurch’ policemen held similar views, the spokesman said.

He said the police were loyal, to their department and the? public and always had tried to beresponsible in their attitude towards, salary and other negotiations. “But it would appear that

this is interpreted by. the Government as a sign of weakness,' and that it has decided that because we are prohibited by law from striking we can be disregarded and walked all over,” the spokesman said. “Our members note the success gained by militant groups, such as was evident during the Kinleith dispute,” he said.

The national secretary of the Police Association (Dr R. A. Moodie) said this week that the policemen had lost up to $2OOO each because of a pre-condition set by?.the Government on acceptance of the recent 10.4. per cent wage rise for State servants. The spokesman said, “This is money which bur members have worked for and earned, but which they are nqt being paid,” the spokesman said.

Policemen Were at present paid 23.5 per cent on top of their basic salary in lieu of

penal rates and overtime, a figure, which had been set in 1966 and ‘had remained unchanged. “Recent surveys have indicated that this figure should be much higher. Ministry of Transport offiers are paid a much higher figure for just penal rates, and are paid overtime on top,” the spokesman said.

He said many Christchurch policemen had lost their Easter week-end off at short notice because of a gang convention in the city, causing suffering to their wives and children.

During the convention, one shadow patrol had worked 27 hours of continuous duty. Last week-end, policemen had been recalled' from; days off for special duties. “Members realise that they are policemen and that it is necessary for these duties to be done, but we do feel that we should be adequately compensated for them,” the spokesman said.