Public Protests – Our UFU Campaign Disputes Committee met this week and determined that in October, in the absence of a renewed offer from the employer, we will continue our campaign of escalating action and commence public protests and activities planned to significantly increase the political pressure on the Malinauskas Government to treat Firefighters with respect and to improve their enterprise bargaining offer.
But first the Shop Stewards and State Councillors will meet at 10:00 hours on Wednesday, 8 October 2025 at the UFUSA office to hear a report on the latest in the EA negotiations. If a new offer worthy of consideration is received, the meeting will consider it and recommend whether State Council ought refer it to a further membership meeting. State Council meets 9 October 2025.
There is much discussion and debate among members about the progress and impact of our campaign; I know you will understand that there is much that cannot be put in a newsletter, and I hope you will trust that all of us elected to represent your interests are working hard to get the best deal possible.
There is absolutely no doubt about the multiple impacts of our Fair Go for Firies campaign, whether it be public education and support, the exercise of considered industrial muscle, the financial impost on the employer which we know is already substantial, or critically, the political cost to the employer.
Thank you to all members engaging so enthusiastically and we welcome all the photos coming in from you demonstrating our collective commitment to funding for training and skills maintenance across the state, to recognising the value of firefighters in paying a fair wage and extending fair conditions.
Our most important asset as always is our Solidarity and as agreed at our meeting on 3 September 2025, we will steadfastly exercise our UNITY, DISCIPLINE AND STRENGTH in order to succeed.
Campaign Signs – Thanks to all crews in Adelaide Station who participated in the media event on Monday, it was really helpful. Station signs are available for regional stations and will be distributed further in stage 6, please let us know if you are waiting for yours.
Social media – Thank you also to everyone who has participated in the social media campaign, liking and sharing. There has been a huge increase in this activity please keep up the great work.
Relievers – all relievers who are designated “Spares” (showing green on Sapphire) will report to Adelaide Station on the next day of tour, ready to take direction on where to go from 0800h/1800h respectively. If being relieved from that station, at end of that shift the Reliever will travel directly home with all gear, reporting to Adelaide Station for the start of their next shift when they will then be sent to any relieving station with a shortage by the relieving Officer’s as required. On parade they will receive direction to the next station. If reporting back to the same station for the next shift, leave all gear and travel as per normal (home and relieving station). Example in previous WordBack.
The above is the only change, and all other relieving will continue to be conducted as per current arrangement (long-term gaps, future preference stations, holiday relief, et cetera.
Members are urged to keep careful record of all time worked and all travel undertaken.
CommCen – Operations Deployments will not be preloaded as usual but will instead occur at commencement of shift at 08:00 hours with usual communications sent subsequently.
E Shift – consistent with the OTR bans, will only cover training; A ban on OTR relieving of individuals rather than whole crews, resulting in recalls being required for individual relief.
CSRD – Billing of booster testing banned.
‘Nu-Passive’ Action – This is the implementation of an Alternative Daily Work Routine with core skills, SDF, training and public drilling as determined by crews and officers who are UFU. This would mean a deviation from the daily deployment if so decided and agreed. Regular station and appliance maintenance to be conducted as per current requirement. In service courses and SOPP programs are exempt from any ban.
PR Visits cancelled –APFF Women and Children’s Hospital Burns unit visits exempted.
Operations – Ban on Act Ups, in this stage now including long-term GADs. This applies to Operations and includes Adelaide personnel acting up in Port Pirie Station. Day work exempt.
Marine Act Ups – Marine are participating in the Act Up ban tailored to the situation. Please speak to your Shop Steward Steve Buchanan if any queries.
ComCen Ban Act Ups – Members in Comms are banning day to day act ups but not on GADs due to needs and the local circumstances. Please speak to your Shop Steward Brad Burch if any queries.
Virtual Standbys – Coms Members have also placed a ban on Virtual Standbys; again, please note that those already in place will be honoured.
“Work to Rule” Shift Changeovers – Ops Members are reporting for duty at the legally designated time of 08:00 hours for day shifts and at 18:00 hours for night shifts, rather than providing the employer with the usual additional free time.
Please ensure that appropriate paperwork is completed to enable payment of overtime as per the Award, to those holding back to complete Parade and effective handover. The processing of this paperwork is being delayed so it is VERY IMPORTANT that you keep a clear record of overtime worked.
ComCen continues escalating the “Work to Rule” Shift Changeovers action with local arrangements to fit the circumstances, applying. Please refer to Shop Steward Brad Burch with any queries.
A ban on transfers to and from Operations to Comcen.
The ban on charging for alarms continues. Having received agreement from the MFS to honour the waiver of fees in return for the data collection, members are requested to enter the call into the AIRS system, Select Block B & enter YES in the Waive Code field. Put ‘IA’ ( standing for Industrial Action) in Comment field in Waiver, as requested by MEMBERS.
The ban on charging for private alarm monitoring continues, using the same method described above.
Campaign T-shirts – All Members will continue wearing UFU campaign T-shirts as a minimum on day shifts. Photos of members wearing the red T-shirts and drilling or carrying out your work are very much appreciated. Additional T-shirts are available at $10 each. Hoodies can be ordered through the union shop.
Chalking FAIR GO FOR FIRIES on windows of Stations and private vehicles (chalk on order), meantime magnetic signs for appliances have been distributed as widely as possible.
Display UFU Flags publicly everywhere we can.
Social media – as above, members please send in pics of your activities and to like and share all posts in order to spread the word. Thank you to the many members who have done this.
Continue to engage with media.
Reminder: Training and promotion processes are currently exempt from industrial action.
In the event of any queries or concerns please contact your Shop Steward or State Councillor in the first instance or call the union office on 8352 7211.
NOTICE OF SHOP STEWARDS MEETING – IMPORTANT EB UPDATE
Wednesday, 8 October 2025
10:00 – 1400 hours at the UFUSA Office, 148 South Rd, Torrensville SA
In Solidarity
