Police may be forced to strike for wage deal | Coffs Coast News | Local News in Coffs Coast

PREMIER Nathan Rees has agreed to hold talks with the NSW Police Association, hours after the expiry of a union deadline on wage negotiations.

The government's willingness to talk is seen as a positive development by the union, which has flagged possible industrial action if its requests are not met.

The association, which represents some 15,000 officers, has called on the NSW government to double its 2.5 per cent wage rise offer.

It also rejects government proposals for police officers to sacrifice entitlements, including sick leave and death and disability allowances, to fund a pay rise. The association set a deadline of midnight on June 30 for the government to negotiate the wage claim and on Wednesday called for an urgent meeting with the premier.

A spokeswoman for Mr Rees, who is in Darwin for Thursday's Council of Australian Governments (COAG) meeting, said he would meet with the union on a date to be confirmed.

“This is a positive development and we're hopeful it will help us finalise negotiations,” association president Bob Pritchard said in a letter to members on Wednesday.

“However, as you know, nothing is guaranteed.

“If the premier holds fast on the government's original negotiating parameters that would see police stripped of vital conditions, then your executive will meet to discuss the implementation of a rolling campaign of political and workplace action.