Congratulations once again to all those involved in organising and running this wonderful event which took place on 18 December 2024. This fantastic effort resulted in another roaring success, and it is one of the major initiatives very proudly financially supported by your UFUSA annually.
The Children’s Christmas Party represents far more than just a celebration – as a wise man recently wrote, it helps build community, spreads kindness, and reinforces the importance of coming together to support one another. Thank you Adrienne for all you have built over the years and thank you Troy for picking up the baton and doing such a marvellous job.
TRAVEL ALLOWANCE UPDATE
As previously reported, your union has written in strong terms to the MFS on multiple occasions regarding the current situation whereby members are not receiving their legal entitlements.
In Word Back 33/2024 members were advised of the undertaking received from the Chief Officer about urgent steps being taken to catch up and correct travel allowance payments. Advice subsequently received from members indicates that those steps have resulted in errors in payments.
All members are again strongly urged to check the accuracy of all payments made and to keep hard copy records. If you are experiencing an issue with the payments we recommend that you advise the MFS in writing asap and we would appreciate it if you would also let us know by emailing us at info@ufusa.com.au so we can track the issue and address it appropriately.
FYI, I have personally written to and sought a commitment from the Chief Officer that interest will be paid on sums outstanding for such an extended period and he has advised he is looking into this.
YOUR VIDEO MESSAGES FOR MEMBER ADRIENNE CLARKE
As previously advised, your UFU is collecting all the kind and funny video messages you’d like to send to Adrienne to let her know we are all thinking of and supporting her. This is of course being done with Adrienne’s consent and we hope you may have some entertaining messages and recollections of our first woman firie to contribute.
Thanks to all those who have already made contributions and to those still contemplating getting creative, please keep it really positive and cheerful.
While the final compilation will not be a public website post, you will have access to it once it’s been presented to Adrienne and her family. The short videos can be from groups or individuals, holding the camera in a horizontal position (landscape please or resolution can be affected in the final product), shot from no less than 2 m away for good audio reproduction, and please shoot in light shade.
Members are requested to transfer all videos as MP4 files via https://wetransfer.com and upload it to info@ufusa.com.au. We would like to have this done by Christmas if possible so please get busy.
Meanwhile thanks to everyone who has participated in some of the really positive events recognising Adrienne as the trail blazing wonder woman she truly is! I’ve loved being able to share some of these outings so thank you all again and we are looking forward to more hijinks in 2025.
FIREFIGHTERS TURNED OUT FOR THE 2024 MRA TOYRUN
Fabulous weather ensured a great turnout at the 2024 MRA toy run earlier this month with our bikes decorated in purple to denote our commitment to fighting diseases affecting our firefighters like pancreatic cancer, as well as bringing toys for the kids who otherwise wouldn’t get a Xmas present. Thank you to all who came, including our crews attending the event.
UFU AGM AND XMAS LUNCH (& PAY INCREASE COMING UP)
Thank you to all our members who attended your AGM and Christmas lunch on 12 December at the UFUSA Office. A link to a copy of the Annual Report delivered at the AGM, outlining the work of the union throughout the year will be included in Word Back in the New Year;
Members are also reminded that your final pay increase under your current MFS enterprise agreement (EA) of 3% will be paid from the first full pay period on or after 1 January 2025 Please don’t forget to check your payslips and retain a hard copy in case of issues arising.
Members present at the AGM also unanimously endorsed an increase to union subs of 3% effective February 2025 which will assist us in particular to succeed in achieving a decent wage increase in the next EA.
UNION XMAS/NEW YEAR OFFICE CLOSURE
As another big year draws to a close your UFUSA office will also be drawing a deep breath and closing today 24 December 2024 at midday, to rest and refresh, reopening on Monday 6 January 2025. We are very grateful to the following elected State Councillors for covering the breach in providing their mobile numbers for you to contact them should you have any urgent matters which require immediate attention during the office closure period.
President | Ben Whitlock | 0439 811 436 |
VP (Officers) | Matt Watherston | 0414 600 045 |
VP (Firefighters) | Andy Caire | 0421 578 196 |
Union Trustee | Andrew French | 0448 072 730 |
Union Trustee | Ash Westbrook | 0402 044 495 |
Thank you to everyone who has participated in the activities of our union throughout 2024, ensuring that our Solidarity is our strength; I look forward to working with you in 2025.
On behalf of everyone on the UFU State Council and Staff, I extend our very best wishes to you and your families and wish you a safe and happy festive season.
In Solidarity
