Police officers ‘struggling to put food on table’
Police officers in Canterbury are collecting food donations for colleagues “struggling” with the cost of living as their battle with the Government for better pay continues.
A photo of a collection box at a police station in Canterbury has been posted online, with a sign reading: “This box is for the discreet donation and collection of non-perishable items for our police staff who are struggling to put food on the table. For those who are struggling and want to speak to someone, you can discreetly contact myself or our welfare team on the details below.”
The people listed are on the Police Association’s Christchurch committee.
The request for donations comes as police continue to fight the Government for a wage increase.
Earlier this month the Government made an offer including a $5000 general wage increase backdated to November 1, 2023, and a 5.25 per cent in police allowances.
That would have been followed by a general wage increase of 4 per cent from September 1, 2024, with an allowance increase of 4 per cent, followed by another pay increase of 4 per cent from July 1, 2025, accompanied by an allowance increase of 4 per cent.
The Police Association rejected the offer that staff called “insulting”.
On Thursday the Herald reported the Government had made a further offer for sworn staff to vote on.
The terms of the revised offer suggest the Government has coughed up $200 million to $250 million more, including paid overtime from July next year and a $1500 lump sum payment in lieu of more back pay.
Police Association president Chris Cahill sent staff an email with the latest offer and advised he did not believe it would be possible to negotiate for more so if it was rejected, it would go to arbitration.
The post appeared online soon after.
“So, for those that think the pay offer isn’t so bad. This is currently somewhere in the Canterbury district,” the caption said.
“Think long and hard before voting. Some of your colleagues are really struggling, and this should never be the case.
“We need to make sure those that put their lives on the line when they go to work can afford to look after their families.”
Cahill said he had seen the post. “The association is aware that the local Christchurch association committee has established a collection box for food donations to assist colleagues who they understand are struggling with current cost of living pressures,” he said.
“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 costof-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.”
Members of the public posted comments in support of the food donation initiative.
“Keen to donate some supermarket vouchers to wherever this is, please message me,” said one woman. “Our everyday heroes should not be struggling like this.”
Another wrote: “Fabulous work from our blue family helping each other — but the fact our families are struggling this much is just disgusting.”
A serving officer said: “The Government should be embarrassed that cops need food donations to live. No one I know joins a job to go into a food bank queue.”
Earlier this month the Herald revealed dozens of frustrated frontline police officers have left and more are waiting to leave for better-paying jobs and enticements in Australia.