July 08, 2009 04:15pm
NO speeding fines will be issued for the next week as of 6pm after the police force today declared war on the State Government after a breakdown in its wage claim.
The NSW Police Association has called on the 15,000-strong force to protest the impasse by not handing out speeding and other fines in a move that is expected to cost the government $2 million.
Police will be giving cautions to speeders, unless it is considered a serious breach, in which case the people will be put before the courts.
The Association's executive met Premier Nathan Rees on Monday and Tuesday to personally ask him to intervene in their fight for better wages and conditions.
The Industrial Relations Commission also called on the two parties to come to an agreement on a negotation structure by 4pm today.
The Government has put forward a 4 per cent wage rise offer but the proposal includes cuts in salaries for injured officers and other entitlement losses, including shift and uniform allowances.
The association said it would be happy with the pay increase but did not agree with the allowance cuts and wanted more reasonable breaks between shifts.
``It's understandable that the Government would be looking for ways to save money, however that should not come at the expense of police and public safety,'' Association president Bob Pritchard said.
``We will not allow the NSW Government to strip the state's police of their conditions.''
Mr Pritchard accused the Government of ignoring a report the association offered showing ways it could save up to $200 million a year and still improve policing.
The police action is also targeting the government's crackdown on hotels breaching liquor laws.
The Association has confirmed that it has asked officers to use discretion on minor incidents in hotels that would usually draw fines.
"The range of fines in place at the moment for breaches of liquor laws is from $550 to $1100 but we've asked our members to use their discretion which will take away the prospect of on-the-spot fines,'' a spokesman said.
"If there is a serious breach then our members will still be taking action but it will be through a breach report and putting that person before the courts.''
The spokesman said it was not about removing the importance of measures to curb alcohol violence and crime but of taking away the on-the-spot fine system that was designed to free up courts.
"They won't ignore problems that occur but it means officers will be taking different action,'' he said.
The courts have previously also treated these matters more leniently.
This is the first time police have taken this sort of industrial action in at least eight years.
And it is believed to be only the start of what could be a wave of industrial action by officers
URL: http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/s ... 21,00.html
.... so, top speed of the Evo is what? jkjk.
