Barnett's pay offer passes police test
The Barnett Government's tough wages policy has passed a major test after WA's 5500 police officers accepted a new three-year, inflation-only deal.
Police will get pay rises of 2.75 per cent, 2.5 per cent and 2.5 per cent over the next three years, in line with WA Treasury's inflation forecasts.
Commerce Minister Michael Mischin hailed the deal as evidence the Government would hold the line on public sector pay rises.
The WA Police Union said 85 per cent of officers voted in favour of accepting the deal, which required no changes to conditions.
But union president George Tilbury signalled police would take a harder line in the next negotiating round. He flagged a renewed campaign to boost benefits for officers rendered medically unfit as a result of their jobs.
"Our members are fair and reasonable people who understand that the general community are doing it tough," Mr Tilbury said.
Mr Mischin said he hoped firefighters and the Community and Public Sector Union would accept similar inflation-only offers.
