West Australian police will launch a month of industrial action over a pay and conditions claim, saying officers have been let down after doing their part to protect the state during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The action will include disconnecting from work-related calls and emails while off duty, working to the award, working strictly to rostered hours, and refusing voluntary recalls.
In an open letter to Premier Mark McGowan, WA Police Union president Mick Kelly said the force went "above and beyond" what was expected of them during the pandemic, protecting the state's borders and airports and policing quarantine hotels.
"During that period, we kept our head down in the hope that one day you would recognise our contribution, and provide us with the respite, resources and remuneration that we deserve," the letter said.
"And now, more than six months since we served to you our log of claims, we still haven't received a pay offer.
"We trusted you, and you let us down."
Among their claims, police are asking for a five per cent pay rise both this year and next year, a longer family-friendly rostering pattern, and the right to routinely disconnect from work when off duty, unless there is an emergency.
The industrial action follows that taken by nurses this week, despite the government offering them a new industrial agreement, including a pay hike and a bonus payment.
The government said it would pay nurses a one-off $3000 bonus, and committed to introducing nurse-to-patient ratios over a three-year period.
The offer also included a three per cent annual, or $60-a-week, pay rise this year and the same next year.
Nurses will get whichever amount is higher, meaning some of the lowest-paid could get more than a three per cent increase.
The premier urged nurses to accept the new pay deal, but the Australian Nursing Federation responded with a ban on nurses working double shifts ahead of escalating industrial action.
The federation remains unhappy with the government's pay offer and urged the introduction of nurse-to-patient ratios sooner than the three-year time frame.
