The fight for better pay continues for Kiwi cops amid ongoing negotiations.
Video / NZHerald
New Zealand police officers have “overwhelmingly rejected” the Government’s latest pay offer and given it one last chance to “lift their game”.
The latest offer was put to the vote on April 8, by the New Zealand Police Association (NZPA), giving members until 5pm today to vote.
More than 75 per cent voted against the offer, a statement from the NZPA this afternoon read.
President Chris Cahill said the outcome sends a clear message to the Government, that the offer “falls well short of addressing officers’ concerns and very real needs”.
“Our members were looking for a sincere effort by Government to correct the crippling erosion of police living standards caused by the cost-of-living crisis and to recognise the increased challenges and dangers police officers face in keeping New Zealanders safe,” Cahill said.
“This offer fails to provide any real attempt to remedy the steady decline in officers’ salaries, particularly when measured against comparable professions’ salaries, such as teachers and nurses.”
The rejection comes despite the Government putting in more funding for an improved offer, believed to be about $250 million more.
When he put the offer to police, Cahill had made it clear to members that he believed it was the best the Government would offer in funding for the pay negotiations and arbitration would be the next step if it was rejected.
“If police and the Government genuinely value the role and commitment of officers, they need to lift their game in the remuneration stakes. They have one more chance to do that,” Cahill said.
The NZPA says it will now ask the mediator in the process to “immediately direct negotiation to final offer arbitration”.
NZ Police Association president Chris Cahill. Photo / Mark Mitchell
“We have a clear expectation that Government will now fund police to improve what it puts on the table at final offer arbitration,” Cahill said.
Police Minister Mark Mitchell said it was an “incredibly disappointing outcome” and the latest offer was “significantly better” than what was presented in August last year.
Police Minister Mark Mitchell. Photo / Mark Mitchell
Mitchell said the new offer included the overtime rate that the NZPA asked for, a $1500 cash payment for police and a “locked-in” pay increase in the third year, well beyond the forecast rate of inflation.
The Herald understands in total, the offer to police was worth an extra $798m.
“The Government has been very open about the financial challenges we’ve inherited, and despite the challenging environment, this was a markedly better offer,” Mitchell said.
“It’s disappointing that police officers are now faced with an arbitration process that will add more time to what has already been a lengthy process. It’s a matter for police and the association to work through those steps, and I’m not in a position to comment further while that process is under way.”
Labour MP and former Police Minister Ginny Andersen hit back at Mitchell on X, formerly Twitter, saying he “talks a big game in opposition but has failed to deliver in Government”.
“He is asking NZ Police to do more, but refuses to pay them for it,” Andersen wrote.
@MarkMitchellMP talks a big game in opposition but has failed to deliver in Government. He is asking @nzpolice to do more, but refuses to pay them for it. The budget cuts from Nicola Willis have presided over paying Police what they are worth and making our communities safer.
Cahill told the Herald the association was aware that the local Christchurch association committee had established a collection box for food donations to assist colleagues “who they understand are struggling with current cost of living pressures.
“This is a genuine local initiative but it has not been instigated by our national office. It demonstrates that the concerns we have raised about police staff struggling with the cost of living crisis is real.
“Police staff should not be in this position and I know the public will be concerned to hear this is the case.”
