Recently 1News had an item regarding some police members being very disappointed with the present Government pay offer.
I can’t comment on the fairness or otherwise of the current offer, but I was intrigued to hear in the broadcast that sworn officers are forbidden to strike by law.
Although I believe such is true at law, I do not think the civil right of citizens to peacefully and publicly protest their work conditions has been denied to police by legislation . . . protesting is not striking, as such. No doubt the Police Association knows where police officers stand with regard to this.
Readers may be interested when I recall that in 1991 or 1992, police rank and file, through the association, wanted to take control and management of the Police Compulsory Superannuation Fund. We were met with an outright refusal from the Government of the day. A large contingent of uniformed police members, including myself, marched in an orderly column and halted in Parliament grounds, while our grievances were aired to the Government.
After we returned to our various stations, there were muted threats from some politicians to have the couple of hundred police who took part in the protest arrested and incarcerated. In the event, however, no police were ever disciplined over the matter.
When the steam from the incident dissipated, the Government almost shamefacedly admitted that the bulk of our fund had been “borrowed” for investment in the Clyde Dam — a “Think Big” project of the time.
Eventually police were given a more generous pay offer.
So there we go . . . a bit of ancient history that some currently serving police members would not have been aware of.
Dennis Pennefather
