Police Association members participated in a multi-jurisdictional Counter Terrorism Exercise named Operation Mercury 05, conducted between the 17th - 19th October 2005.

This operation involved detectives, uniform, and specialist members many of whom receive a commuted overtime allowance. 

Prior to the commencement of this operation, members in receipt of the commuted overtime allowance were advised that they would be required to work excessive periods of foreseen overtime and called on the Association to intervene.  As a result, the Force provided the Association with assurances that members participating in Operation Mercury would be paid for all overtime worked. 

Since Mercury concluded, the Association has been given repeated assurances that payment of this overtime would be imminent.

To this date, many members are yet to be paid for overtime worked. 

This morning, the Force advised the Association that this matter is now the subject of a briefing paper for `further consideration by command' a position that we view as completely inconsistent with previous undertakings to pay our members. 

The Association has immediately lodged a Notice of Dispute at the Australian Industrial Relations Commission, in support of our members claim.  The matter is listed for hearing on the Wednesday the 21st December 2005.

More information regarding this dispute will be provided as soon as it becomes available.

BRUCE McKENZIE
Assistant Secretary