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AAP
AAP
Neve Brissenden

WA prison officers accept new pay deal

WA prison guards have accepted a new pay and conditions deal from the state government. (Aaron Bunch/AAP PHOTOS)

West Australian prison guards will be paid $60 more each week and receive a $3000 cost of living payment after accepting a wage offer from the state government.

Almost 95 per cent of the WA Prison Officers Union membership voted to accept the deal on Friday, though Secretary Andy Smith said the decision wasn't taken lightly.

"The high response rate should not be mistaken to be an endorsement of the government's wage offer or that this is a good offer," he said.

"It is a clear message that the ... attack on conditions such as personal leave, public holidays, paid parental leave, and the constant wage theft has to stop."

Mr Smith said the government had tried to cut down entitlements in previous offers, alongside a "dismal" wage increase.

"Our members rightly rejected (that) in record numbers," he said.

The three per cent pay bump comes alongside new compassionate leave entitlements for early pregnancy loss and foster carers.

A regional incentive allowance has been accepted as the WA government attempts to retain staff in regional prisons.

Most WA public sector pay negotiations have wrapped up in recent months with firefighters and police also endorsing new arrangements.

Close to 90 per cent of public sector workers are now on new industrial agreements, though WA nurses are still locked in negotiations.

Industrial Relations Minister Bill Johnston commended the prison officers' union for reaching the outcome.

"We continue to engage positively with unions and are working towards settlement of all outstanding negotiations," he said.

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