PAUL HUNT Secretary
Back in the UnionsWA fold TO ASSIST OUR FIGHT FOR MORE REMUNERATION, MORE RESOURCES AND MORE RESPITE for our members, we’ve restored our UnionsWA affiliation.
The agreement … reflects the commitment of members of the Public Sector Alliance to collective action to secure investment in the public sector. However, it doesn’t override the democratic right of any group of workers to accept or reject a government offer.
22 POLICE NEWS JUNE 2022
UnionsWA is Western Australia’s peak union body, representing more than 30 affiliated unions whose combined memberships exceed 150,000 people. In 2010, we renounced our UnionsWA affiliation because we didn’t feel it was benefitting us. In 2022, we’ve returned to the UnionsWA fold because we see merit in being part of its current collective, a key initiative of which is the Public Sector Alliance. Last year, UnionsWA and several of its affiliate unions banded together to form the Public Sector Alliance, a group that uses its combined might campaigning to: • end the restrictive public sector wages policy • effect a return to genuine collective bargaining in the public sector • secure outcomes that represent a meaningful investment in public sector workers. As a member of the Public Sector Alliance, we’re committed to working collectively with the likes of the Community and Public Sector Union/Civil Service Association of WA, United Firefighters Union of WA and WA Prison Officers’ Union by: • using our available resources to secure a successful outcome for all workers covered by the public sector union alliance in the 2022 round of bargaining • communicating any offer made to us with all other parties to the alliance prior to the balloting of our membership • not endorsing any balloted offer that doesn’t secure recurring investment greater than the restrictive public sector wages policy. The agreement above reflects the commitment of members of the Public Sector Alliance to collective action to secure investment in the public sector. However, it doesn’t override the democratic right of any group of workers to accept or reject a government offer.
PROTECT INTEGRITY AND SAFETY Workloads are increasing, particularly for officers in charge. Fatigue is impacting half of the workforce’s performance. Work-life balance is worsening, especially in urban areas. Unpaid overtime is common, notably for senior ranks. The WA Police Force isn’t doing enough to support the mental health of coppers. Morale is at an all-time low. The findings of our Workplace, Health and Member Services Survey and the dismissive response to them from the Honourable Paul Papalia CSC MLA are why our members must follow our simple step-by-step guide – the centrefold of this edition of Police News is a pull-out poster – to PROTECT their integrity and safety because the Minister for Police, the agency he oversees and the McGowan Government in which he has four portfolios aren’t going to do it for them. PROTECT is an acronym formed by combining the initial letters of prepare, report, obtain, track, equip, connect and task. To paraphrase the comments of one Facebook user after we launched our campaign online, PROTECT is about our members being as safe as possible to do one of the world’s most dangerous jobs. It’s about them, their welfare and the well-being of their loved ones. It’s a checklist for them to follow. It’s an education piece for all of our members. From recharging personal batteries to not submitting to unnecessary risks, it’s important our members don’t skip any of the seven PROTECT steps because they shouldn’t task before they prepare, report, obtain, track, equip and connect in that specific order. Certainly, they shouldn’t kit up before they’ve completed the first four PROTECT steps or they risk breaching a procedural or legislative change, which may expose them to a managerial review or criminal charge. Look after self. Look after all. Adhere to PROTECT and accomplish both.
