Police union to take claim to arbitration

Press, 20 February 1989, Page 3

Police union to take claim to arbitration

PA Wellington The Police Association has taken its wage claim to the Arbitration Commission, after the breakdown of talks with the Police Department late last year. ’ - 3 •

The association’s industrial advocate, Mr Graham Harding, said the decision to go to arbitration was made at last week’s association conference.

There had been much debate over the decision because some delegates believed the police should have undertaken industrial action to back up their pay claim. The decision not to take action was made because it would have had little effect on the Government’s attitude to Public Service pay claims, Mr Harding said.

“The Government is really not listening to any wage claims with any keen sense.”

The . association had learnt/ a jot from - the 7 experience of nurses, who are taking national industrial action, and had decided pot to follow suit, he said.

There was: anger and disappointment with the. Police Department’s refusal to accept the association’s claim but it appeared little could be done about it. The association is claiming a 7 per cent wage rise plus new long service and annual leave entitlements and an increase in housing allowances.

It also had a claim for officers who had to pass physical competence tests every 18 months to be allowed five hours paid time off each week to keep fit, Mr Harding said. The Police Department has offered a 1.5 per cent wage increase conditional upon acceptance of a new roster.