NSW Police Civilian Forensic Experts PSA work bans for equal pay
Crime Scene Officers Denial of Expert Allowance – February 2016 (PDF version)
The State Government is engaging in pay discrimination with its continuing refusal to grant an expert allowance to qualified civilian forensic experts within the NSW Police Force (NSWPF). PSA members at Fingerprint Operations, Forensic Services Group, NSWPF met on 28 January 2016 and unanimously endorsed work bans on:
- fingerprint identifications
- fingerprint verifications
- fingerprint expert certificates for criminal trials
- fingerprint expert statements for ‘mention only’ matters
- fingerprint expert certificates for Coroner investigations.
The bans which take effect from 6am Monday 15 February 2016 demonstrate the determination of civilian forensic experts working at NSWPF to fight to receive equal pay for provision of the same expert services to the community as their police colleagues.
Previous actions undertaken by the PSA to achieve a resolution to this matter are detailed in our bulletin HERE
Read the NSW Government Wages policy HERE
PSA General Secretary Anne Gardiner has officially authorised this industrial action and the union has provided written notification to NSWPF. It should be noted that only PSA members will be protected whilst taking this industrial action.
If PSA members are approached or directed to undertake a task detailed in the work bans, members should state the following:
“PSA members are taking authorised industrial action due to the NSW Government’s refusal to provide equal pay for equal work to civilian forensic experts and consequently I will not undertake the duty.”
To be protected during the industrial action, staff must join the PSA.
If you have questions or concerns please contact the Member Support Centre
1300 772 679.
Further bans will be discussed as the fight for equal pay continues.
What can you do?
- Give a copy of this bulletin to your colleagues
- Print this bulletin and put it on your notice board
- Ask a colleague to join the PSA
- Attend a PSA training session
- Organise a meeting at your worksite.
