Vic: Dispute looming at police despatch centre

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Vic: Dispute looming at police despatch centre

MELBOURNE, Dec 9 AAP - Despatchers at Victoria Police headquarters could impose workbans this week as they continue a campaign for weekend and overnight shift penalties.

Under the proposed statewide work bans, the despatchers will refuse to conduct licenceand address checks for police, except in circumstances where "life and limb" are threatened.

Emergency Communications Victoria, formerly Intergraph, has been given until 5pm Wednesdayto improve the conditions in a new enterprise agreement or the despatchers will beginindustrial action.

Communications, Electrical and Plumbing Union (CEPU) communications secretary Len Coopersaid emergency despatchers had worked for substandard wages and conditions since emergencycommunications were privatised by the former Kennett government.

Mr Cooper said the despatchers expected conditions to improve when the state governmentreclaimed responsibility for Integraph's operations.

But the latest offer from the state government didn't even include the public servicestandard of a 38-hour week, penalty rates for weekend and overnight shifts and holidayleave loading.

Mr Cooper said despatchers were currently paid a flat rate of $18 an hour for a 40 hour week.

"Our members are sick to death of working these round-the-clock hours - under pressure- without penalty rates," he said.

"There's a very angry feeling on the job. They expected better from the company anda Labor government."

Mr Cooper said the despatchers' industrial action could escalate if the government'soffer didn't improve.

"The current planned action will not be allowed to endanger the life and limb of thepublic or the operational police but it will be designed to have maximum impact on thedecision-makers," he said.

Emergency despatchers for the state's ambulance and fire services will not be involvedin the CEPU's planned industrial campaign.

Comment is being sought from Emergency Services minister Andre Haermeyer.

AAP bja/clr/drp/bwl

KEYWORD: DESPATCH