- The WA Prison Officers Union has accepted the Cook Government's pay offer
- Prison officers will receive a 12.75% pay rise over three years and enhanced employment conditions
- Agreements applying to more than 142,000 WA public sector employees have now been settled under the Cook Government's wages policy
The Cook Labor Government has welcomed the decision by the WA Prison Officers Union to accept terms for a replacement industrial agreement.
The union has confirmed 75% of its members supported the three-year deal, which will benefit more than 2,600 officers. Under the new agreement, prison officers will receive wage increases of 5% in the first year, followed by 4% in 2025 and 3.75% in 2026. It also provides several new and improved conditions of employment including additional and increased incentives for prison officers working in regional prisons and improved consultation arrangements.
The Cook Labor Government has now secured negotiated outcomes for over 142,000 public sector workers under the Public Sector Wages Policy Statement 2023 - including teachers and principals, education assistants, doctors, registered nurses and midwives, police officers and public servants.
The Cook Government continues to engage with unions in good faith to settle negotiations for other groups.
As stated by Industrial Relations Minister Simone McGurk:
"Our prison officers are pivotal in ensuring the safety, security and smooth operations of custodial facilities around the State and I thank them for that.
"I congratulate the WA Prison Officers Union on its effective advocacy that has led to this positive outcome.
"This is a good result and demonstrates the effectiveness of the Cook Government's principles-based wages policy, which is delivering meaningful and tailored improvements for each work group."
As stated by Corrective Services Minister Paul Papalia:
"Our prison officers do an incredible job and our Government is committed to supporting them.
"Almost 300 graduated last year and we are continuing to grow prison officer numbers.
"We are also running regional recruitment and training of prison officers enabling local community members to start a new career without having to leave their hometown."
