The Western Australian Prison Officers’ Union (WAPOU) is a registered trade union founded in 1934 in Western Australia. The union represents employees within the prison services, including prison officers of Western Australia. The union is affiliated with the Australian Council of Trade Unions, UnionsWA and the Australian Labor Party (WA). The union is part of the Prison Officers of Australasia organisation, representing prison officers through the region.
there are 2,721 registered members throughout the WA prison service in both private and public facilities.
Aims and purpose
The union acts as a collective body to serve its registered members across both the private and public prison facilities. This includes engagement with government proceedings and media coverage involving issues that impact or are affiliated with prison affairs and controversies.
It runs a multitude of campaigns that represent the values of the union. These campaigns include matters such as overcrowding, staff safety, privatisation, and mental health support for officers.
The union has a social media presence, which utilizes mass communication to reach out to both members and the wider public that may share an interest in prison affairs in Western Australia. An ongoing social media campaign of WAPOU's is their "Respect the Risk" campaign, which provides a spotlight on the roles and responsibilities of prison officers within the field. This enables community involvement outside of the WAPOU's members.
Executive and office members
Union office
President: Ken Brown
Secretary: Andy Smith
Assistance secretary: Paul Ledingham
Training officer: Greg Holder
Office manager: Gita Patel
Finance manager: Pem Choki
Administration assistant: Leonie Wilson
Executive office
Vice President: Mike Cromb
Treasurer: (vacant) Executive members: James Vanpraag, Terry Kennedy and Peter Vose
Member obligations
Conditions of membership
Individuals who are considered eligible for membership into the union are employees within a prison or prison services within Western Australia. A member's membership is revoked upon leaving their position within the prison services. In the event of an individual wanting to end their membership, a written resignation is required with 14 days notice. Individuals are still responsible for any subscriptions or levies leading up to and including the date of exit.
Past members of the union can be nominated and awarded by the executive and state office as "life members" after 15 years of continuous membership. To be awarded this status, a member must also demonstrate at least 10 years of service to the running of the union and its events.
According to the Fair Work (Registered Organisations) Act 2009 and the Fair Work (Registered Organisations) Regulations 2009, the union is obligated to keep an updated register of all new and current members details (name and postal address). However, the register of members is not available for public access, for reasons of confidentiality.
Member contributions and fees
Upon membership allocation, members of the union consent to a fortnightly deduction of contributions towards the union. Reductions of contributions can be approved by the executive members in the case of special considerations.
Entrance fees
Entrance fees and contributions are calculated based on the annual salary and employment plans of individual members and paid accordingly fortnightly.
However, entrance contributions will not amount to equal more than 1% of a senior officer's annualised salary, regardless of positions.
Funeral benefit fund
This fund is known as the Prison Officers Funeral Benefit Fund (POFBF); all current members of WAPOU are automatic members of this fund. Past members of the union whose membership exceed seven years prior to their exit, are still considered members of this funeral fund.
The fortnightly contribution of the POFBF is decided upon in the WAPOU annual general meeting (AGM) led by the executive members of the union. The minimum contribution is $1.00 per contribution payment.
A funeral benefit amount is decided by the executive committee, led by the secretary and the benefit is later paid to the member's dependants and/or the member's personal legal representative.
Death benefit levy
Upon official notice of death of a WAPOU member, all members contribute a payment of $15.00 each.