Yesterday’s meeting of UFU Shop Stewards and State Councillors focused solely on the latest offer for a new firefighter enterprise agreement (EA). The terms of offer are set out in the Wordback 39/2022 noting that some of the detail is still to be hammered out by the parties.
While there was a broad spectrum of views expressed about the offer, there was a clear determination that it is critical that members have the opportunity to consider and vote on the offer.
Following many hours of discussion and debate the following is the resolution of the meeting:
“This meeting of UFUSA Shop Stewards and State Councillors having heard and considered the report of the EA negotiating team:
- Acknowledges the improvement in the wages offer to firefighters and congratulates the membership on their ongoing strength and unity, which has won these improvements.
- Reiterates our concerns about the financial pressures facing workers across all industries and acknowledges the challenges facing UFU members and our families in trying to meet the rapidly escalating cost of living, both current and forecast.
- In that context, the pay offer, while improved, is recognised as a modest one and it is noted fire fighter work has expanded and requires an increasing level of professional development to meet the challenges of a fast changing environment. These are matters yet to be addressed.
- It is recognised that the objectives of the resolution of our meeting of 19 October 2022 have otherwise been met by the offer, specifically:
- backpay to 1 January 2021 and 1 January 2022,
- a shorter agreement of approximately two years with a final payment on expiry of the proposed new agreement on 1 January 2025,
- no trade-offs are sought, and
- industrial matters of concern are being progressed.
- The bonus payment of $1500 (or pro rata to part-time and Retained Firefighters) and the work now underway to deliver performance of the 2017 commitments on Engineering Department staffing and the provision of Galatea jackets to all recruit squads from January 2018 are also noted.
On this basis, this meeting resolves to lift all current campaign bans and actions from 0800 hours on Saturday 5 November 2022 to enable full consideration of the offer by the membership, to permit confirmation of the implementation of the 2017 commitments, and to confirm drafting of the final document.”
Carried without dissent
CAMPAIGN ACTIONS TO GO ON HOLD
Accordingly, members are advised that all industrial campaign actions will be lifted at
08:00 hours on Saturday, 5 November 2022.
This means that:
Normal changeover will commence from 0700 hours on Saturday and Work to Rule ceases. Charges for alarms will return
Chalking of appliances concludes
A return from passive to the normal daily work routine
Resumption of uniform policy
The lifting of action will allow the necessary meetings and work to take place to confirm the detail involved in the offer, for the timeframe and arrangements for the ballot of members on the issue to be organised and to relay that information to you prior to proceeding.
Members are urged to speak to your Shop Stewards and State Councillors about this matter and to let our office know by emailing info@ufusa.com.au if you would like to have a meeting for more information and discussion about the considerations involved.
In solidarity,
