Victorian Police File Lawsuit Against Government Alleging Unpaid Overtime for Millions
Victoria Police is taking legal action to claim money they believe is owed for work done at the start and end of each shift.
The Victorian police union has bluntly stated that they are not philanthropists as they pursue the state government in court for millions of dollars in unpaid overtime spanning several years.
The Police Association of Victoria alleges that thousands of officers have worked before and after their scheduled shifts without being compensated.
Officers were required to arrive early, change into uniforms, gather equipment, inspect police cars, attend briefings, and repeat the process at the end of their shifts, all without compensation, according to the Association.
Despite this, the union claims that officers are only paid for the time officially spent on duty.
Union secretary Wayne Gatt accused Victoria Police of relying on free labor from officers to fulfill the demands of continuous policing.
After sending a demand letter to Victoria Police, the union proceeded to file a lawsuit in the Federal Court seeking unpaid wages for both current and former officers.
Victoria Police, however, denies underpaying officers, stating that they are compensated for up to 30 minutes of work outside their regular hours, a practice in place for 60 years.
The ongoing dispute, including pay negotiations, stop-work demonstrations, and proposed pay rises, is being reviewed by the Fair Work Commission, with a decision expected by the year’s end.
In Victoria, recruits start with an annual salary of $55,995, increasing as they progress in rank and gain experience, with additional allowances and benefits for various working conditions.
