Industrial representatives for the Australian Federal Police (AFP) have publicly hit out against the Australian Public Service Commission’s (APSC) decision to foist the widely rejected 11.2% wage deal on AFP members, branding the deal a dud.
The Australian Federal Police Association (AFPA) on Thursday said it was “appalled and utterly dismayed” by the APSC’s decisions “regarding the non-Australian Public Service (APS) Government Bargaining Parameters.”
The rejection lights the fuse on the wider National Intelligence Community to politely tell their paymasters what they think of the wage offer, despite being required to just cop what they get; but it’s not just that simple.
While specific statutory organisations outside the Australian Service Act don’t get a say as part of the wider APS-wide bargaining process, that doesn’t mean they are happy: far from it.
“The Australian Federal Police Association (AFPA) is appalled and utterly dismayed by the Australian Public Service Commission’s (APSC) recent decision regarding the non-Australian Public Service (APS) Government Bargaining Parameters. This decision demonstrates a complete lack of respect for the work AFPA members do every day and effectively eliminates the potential for the extensively government-promoted concept of ‘good faith bargaining’,” the cops’ union said.
“The decision prevents the Australian Federal Police (AFP) from accepting any AFPA proposals for the next agreement unless they seek an exemption from the APSC.”
AFPA president Alex Caruana said that the decision by the APSC and federal government was a ‘kick in the teeth’ and demonstrated an evident lack of understanding of the role the AFP plays within the local and international law enforcement environments.
“It’s bitterly disappointing that the APSC thinks it’s appropriate to reposition the bargaining goalposts midway through bargaining. This move undermines the federal government’s policy of good faith bargaining and has closed the door on any meaningful bargaining to improve the conditions and safety of AFP members.
“This decision effectively casts aside negotiations that have taken place to date and risks any realisation of a new enterprise agreement that supports both the employees and the organisation.”
Caruana said the 11.2% pay rise over three years “would see AFP employees remain among the lowest-paid police officers in the country.”
“Why would anyone join the AFP when other jurisdictions can offer better conditions and wages, sometimes $30,000 more per annum, depending on rank?” “This is a significant moment for the Federal Government.
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