As reported in WordBack 07/2025 your UFU has lodged a dispute under the Work Health and Safety Act at the South Australian Employment Tribunal about the MFS’s failure to adopt reasonable interim controls to manage the risks from exposure to diesel exhaust which is occurring by storing PPE in engine bays with appliances.
Although we understand that capital works programs are in progress to provide long term solutions, at least in some stations, the failure to control the risk in the interim is a disgrace. Disappointingly, proposals for short and interim measures have been ignored.
Before lodging the dispute, I wrote to the MFS on a number of occasions, and did not receive any satisfactory response with months passing whilst the MFS claimed to be ‘investigating’ the issue.
Although our dispute has identified a number of stations already, we want to fix the issue at every station where it is occurring. It would assist us in advancing the dispute to be able to identify all stations at which PPE is presently stored in Engine Bays.
If this is happening at your home station, it would assist if you could immediately email info@ufusa.com.au letting us know.
We are not prepared to let the issue wait: this is an unacceptable risk to your health and safety. We encourage all members who are exposed to risks like this to continue filing Govsafety reports, but also to please forward those reports to your union so that we have them on record as part of our efforts.
SHOP STEWARDS TRAINING
Thank You to the big group of Shop Stewards who attended the UFUSA Shop Steward Training this week.
It was a full on couple of days where we focused on the role and responsibilities of Shop Stewards who are your voice in your workplace, making more effective use of provisions of the current enterprise agreement and the steps identified which are needed to further empower your voice.
This is particularly important at a time when we are in negotiations for our next enterprise agreement which must include a decent pay rise, running disputes which appear to have a foundation in the underfunding of the MFS, campaigning for an extension of presumptive cancer legislation for firefighters and addressing an apparent culture of bullying and intimidation within the MFS administration.
A full report will be provided to the next Shop Stewards meeting scheduled for next week.
SHOP STEWARDS MEETING
Tuesday 6 May 2025
09:30 hours to 12:30 hours at the UFU office 148 South Road Torrensville
Refreshments provided so please RSVP to info@ufusa.com.au
D SHIFT AT PORT ADELAIDE STATION CELEBRATING COMMANDER ADRIENNE CLARKE
It was the epitome of family when so many of D shift came together after Anzac Day commemoration ceremonies to celebrate Commander Adrienne Clarke on her birthday. Thank you to everyone involved in organising this really special event and particularly the indefatigable Kylie and Simon and Adrienne’s family who helped organise the surprise. Firefighters truly are a family and it is those values which I’m proud to say form the basis of our union, lifting and supporting members in adversity.
MOTHERS DAY CLASSIC FAST APPROACHES – PLEASE JOIN US!
Breast cancer is the most common cause of cancer in women in Australia with 1 in 7 women and 1 in 600 men diagnosed within their lifetime, with a higher instance found among firefighters. Over the past 26 years the Mother’s Day Classic has raised $44 million for life-saving breast cancer research.
We invite you to join us this Mother’s Day, Sunday 11 May 2025, to participate in a 4km or 7km run or walk, followed by a breakfast at the start/ finish line at Pinky Flat / Tarntanya Wama. Your UFUSA have a proud history participating in and supporting the Mother’s Day Classic partnering with the MFS.
This year’s team captains are, Carly White, Chas Thomas, Gen Rueger and Stefan Kirkmoe . No, you don’t have to run or walk as we really need your support in support roles too – more motivated and passionate volunteers are desperately needed to assist on the day with duties such as cooking the BBQ and assisting with the “touch a truck,” appliance display.
If you are interested in assisting on the day, please contact: Carly.White@eso.sa.gov.au or the UFUSA office on info@ufusa.com.au
If you are on shift crew would like to participate, please contact Chas Thomas prior to registration to ensure this can be accommodated in deployment.
How to Enter:
1. Log onto the Mother’s Day Classic website: www.mothersdayclassic.com.au
2. Select Event then SA, Adelaide
3. Select Register Now
4. Register to Walk or Run
5. Continue as instructed
6. IMPORTANT – Click on ‘join a team’ and then begin to type ‘ United Firefighters Union of SA’ team, which then pops up – click on that, then click continue.
7. Follow the remaining instructions to complete your registration(s) to our team
8. The UFUSA “pink firefighter T-shirts” are available to order. We encourage members that already have one to wear it on the day however if you require a shirt, please send your size ASAP to info@ufusa.com.au
If you have already entered the event but haven’t joined the “United Firefighters Union of SA’” team please contact info@ufusa.com.au so we can add you to our team.
UFUSA HOODIES NOW ON SALE
Warm and cosy union hoodies are now on sale at cost price for $70, they are going fast so get in our to ensure you get your size. Here is link to them on our website.
In Solidarity,
