Cops vote for pay action

Police will begin taking industrial action as soon as next week, including moves that could see motorists avoid traffic fines.

A near unanimous 98.9 per cent of union members voted in favour of taking industrial action to put the heat on the government to lift its offer of 2.5 per cent per year.

Police want a pay rise of 5 per cent per year, as well as penalty rates on weekends and public holidays.

Among the 21 industrial action measures:

• warning motorists of speed and red light cameras;
• not issuing penalty notices;
• not attending court
• not wearing naming tags

The Herald Sun reports industrial action by police cost the government $11 million in lost revenue in 2011.

The police association were hopeful a deal could still be reached by Friday.