NSW police threaten to waive fines

[scooby]

NSW police threaten to waive fines

http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-na ... -dyhi.html



NSW police will waive fines indefinitely as they fight a state government wage proposal that will remove protections for injured officers.

The NSW opposition is urging the government to end the pay dispute, saying it'll cost the state $2 million a week.

The government wants officer to sacrifice sick leave and death and disability allowances to fund a pay rise of four per cent - an offer the Police Association has rejected.

At a meeting in Sydney on Monday, 200 officers voted to push ahead with the fine blackout, the second in a month.

From August 3 there will be a "open ended" fine-free period, with police refusing to write tickets for a range of misdemeanours, including traffic offences.

"(Police) will use their discretion as to whether they will write (a ticket), or give a caution or if (an offence) is serious enough, they will place people directly before the court," association president Bob Pritchard told AAP.

"Obviously, we would never put the community at risk but we need to show the government that we are very serious."

Mr Pritchard said police were reluctant to take such action "but we have to give the government a wake-up call".

"They (the government) are trying to take away protections if they are injured, and other associated things," he said.

"We can't understand why."

The fine protest is the latest salvo in the long-running pay dispute, which saw police refuse to issue traffic fines for a week at the beginning of July.

The association says the removal of protections for injured workers would financially cripple officers hurt on the job.

Under the current award, police injured on the job receive full pay until they return to work or exit the force.

If the government proposal is adopted, injured police would be on full pay for only 26 weeks.

Police Minister Tony Kelly admitted he was disappointed about the industrial action but said others emergency services, such as the NSW Fire Brigades, had agreed to cost savings to pay for salary increases.

Under government policy, any public sector rise over 2.5 per cent had to be funded by efficiencies.

A cost savings strategy was put forward by the Police Association but was rejected by the NSW government.

"It is a concern, however, the police can't be treated any differently to the Fire Brigades, the nurses," Mr Kelly told Macquarie Radio.

Opposition police spokesman Mike Gallacher called on Premier Nathan Rees to intervene, saying the situation had "spiralled out of control".

Mr Gallacher, a former police officer, questioned why the government was pushing for injury protections to be cut.

"I believe that police perform an extraordinary role in our communities, and their benefits should reflect the dangerous work they do," Mr Gallacher said.

"I don't believe the government has acted in good faith in relation to these negotiations."

He said if the dispute was not resolved, it would significantly hit state coffers.

"Whether we like it or not, fines coming out of the NSW police account for around about $2 million a week," he said.

"That's a significant hit for NSW bottom-line."

[Richo]

[laidback]

"(Police) will use their discretion as to whether they will write (a ticket), or give a caution"

OR

"or if (an offence) is serious enough, they will place people directly before the court," association president Bob Pritchard told AAP"

Might get away with a few ks over limit but push it and go direct to court...

[bobby]

I don't see the cops backing down on the Federal HWY or the Hume HWY....

I won't be fooled nor would I trust the government

[Ultramarine]

There wont be any tickets given out while this is running. A guy at my station gave one out during the last fine free week and the verbal earbashing he got from everyone else was enough to discourage the next person who may have got a bit happy with his pen.

Just remember to be sensible. It's not a get out of gaol free thing. Don't be surprised if highway patrol just start handing out court attendance notices for speeds over 20.

[bobby]

There wont be any tickets given out while this is running. A guy at my station gave one out during the last fine free week and the verbal earbashing he got from everyone else was enough to discourage the next person who may have got a bit happy with his pen.

Just remember to be sensible. It's not a get out of gaol free thing. Don't be surprised if highway patrol just start handing out court attendance notices for speeds over 20.

That's one way around it..... keep the the courts busy... lol

[Lone Wolf]

viewtopic.php?f=8&t=25659

[mike-s]

looking at it from a union perspective they are asking to give up getting paid if their injuries put them out for over a half year. For that to happen you have to be pretty messed up and im sure you'd rather that safety blanket be there than not.

A big middle finger by the government to these guys we love and love to hate. As well as getting away with a bit more, personally i hope they stick it to the nsw government and show them they are serious.

[aus636]

Didnt work for the copper outside of Macksville he still booked me which was the first week in July $338 & 4 points. New fines & points from the 1st July so make sure you are all aware the sytem has changed.

[Ultramarine]

Word of advice too. Don't go telling the cops "You can't book me, it's a fine free period!"

Aus636 it's a shame that not all of us stick to our guns. You get a few muppets in every job.

[craig]

i always thought they were " waiving" but alas alack i was wrong they have always been "THROWING the BOOK"

[GPZ900R]

Well whether the cops are going to waive the penalty period or not we still have to be cautious going over the limit. Safe riding and ride for fun......1st piority

[scooby]

There wont be any tickets given out while this is running. A guy at my station gave one out during the last fine free week and the verbal earbashing he got from everyone else was enough to discourage the next person who may have got a bit happy with his pen.

Just remember to be sensible. It's not a get out of gaol free thing. Don't be surprised if highway patrol just start handing out court attendance notices for speeds over 20.

That's one way around it..... keep the the courts busy... lol

but more importantly (for the NSW police's agenda) sending all those speeders to courts will cost the NSW government even more $$$