Police await pay offer

Press, 14 January 1986, Page 4

Police await pay offer

PA Wellington The police say anger and frustration with their basic pay offer is mounting as they wait for the first Cabinet meeting of the year on January 21.

Association members voted strongly last month against accepting a 5 per cent basic salary increase on top of the 15.5 per cent annual general adjustment. Notice of limited industrial action looked set to be given before Christmas, but the decision was delayed to give the Minister of Police, Mrs Hercus, an opportunity to take the case back to-the Cabinet. The South Auckland Police Association’s district committee chairman, Mr Stuart Mangnall, said yesterday that some branches were definitely considering taking industrial action unless a satisfactory increase in basic salaries came out of the Cabinet meeting. “At this stage we have no intention of having wildcat action ... but there are some guys who would like to do something about it. They have got to the stage where they are fed up.” However, other branches saw wildcat action as “unthinkable,” said the Nelson district committee chairman, Mr Keith Parfitt.

“Industrial action will depend entirely on getting salary justice. Our job has changed dramatically and there appears to be a reluctance to recognise that.

“They (front-line police) are being abused, they are being spat on, they are being treated like dirt,” Mr Parfitt said.