Otago Daily Times

Police officers overwhelmi­ngly reject latest pay offer

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WELLINGTON: Police officers have overwhelmi­ngly rejected the latest pay offer, saying it falls short of addressing their concerns and needs.

The Police Associatio­n said more than 75% of its members voted against the offer, which was put forward by the government last month.

Police Minister Mark Mitchell says the rejection of the latest police pay offer is an ‘‘incredibly disappoint­ing’’ outcome.

Last month, police described the previous pay offer as ‘‘insulting‘‘, ‘‘disgusting’’ and ‘‘demoralisi­ng’’ as members were presented with the same offer which they had rejected in September 2023.

Mr Mitchell at the time said the government was negotiatin­g in ‘‘tough economic times’’.

He had insisted the government would not break its promise to recruit more police.

However, Police Associatio­n president Chris Cahill said members were looking for a sincere effort by the government to address the cost of living crisis and recognise the increasing dangers officers faced.

‘‘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,’’ Mr Cahill said.

‘‘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.’’

The Police Associatio­n will now ask the mediator to immediatel­y direct negotiatio­ns to final offer arbitratio­n.

‘‘We have a clear expectatio­n that government will now fund police to improve what it puts on the table at final offer arbitratio­n,’’ Mr Cahill said.

Earlier this month, Mr Mitchell admitted the government could not compete with the salaries Australia was offering New Zealand officers in a recruitmen­t campaign it had launched. — RNZ

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