In an effort to halt speeding fines, Victorian police officers are planning to go on strike.
Following a failure to come to a wage and better working conditions deal between the union and Victoria Police, the strike began about two weeks ago.
However, the police union has threatened to intensify the situation if a deal is not reached, this time by threatening to stop fining drivers for speeding.
Police have been warning drivers about speed cameras throughout the partial two-week strike in an attempt to prevent the government from collecting penalties.
Additionally, police have stopped giving government officials briefings and have started writing slogans on police cars.
Due to concerns about officer burnout, the union and Industrial Relations Victoria have been embroiled in five months of negotiations over a new enterprise agreement that would include a 4% salary increase and shorter nine-hour shifts.
Wayne Gatt, the head of the police union, asserted today that the industrial action was creating a crisis in community safety.
“The government’s actually got to move here, not to solve an industrial dispute, but to solve a community safety dispute that is just deteriorating under its watch,” Gatt stated to 3AW.
According to him, the police were about to take drastic measures, such ceasing to impose fines for speeding.
“It’ll simply mean people will have their day in court,” he stated.
“A magistrate will hear their case and make a decision, as opposed to merely handing them a statutory fine at the side of the road on a piece of paper.
“It’s about denying revenue, it’s not about reducing safety.”
Next week, the Police Association’s members will vote on the escalated action proposal.
Victoria Police stated in a statement that it will keep up its efforts to emphasise community safety and frontline policing services.
“Victoria Police remains committed to good faith negotiations with the Police Association Victoria and independent bargaining representatives,” stated a spokesperson.
“We continue to make progress and are confident of reaching an agreement that recognises the challenges of policing and is fair for police, protective service officers and the Victorian community.”
