The United Firefighters Union of South Australia recognises that today is May Day. It is the workers day, and an important opportunity for our movement to celebrate the value of common struggle and solidarity, and our power when we stand together.
In our own union, it’s well worth reflecting on the events of the past year on this day: this is a year in which you stood together and committed to a campaign against a powerful and popular Government that was not engaged in respectful enterprise bargaining. You stood strong together, you committed to action, you took that action and you won. And there is no surprise in that: the workers united will never be defeated!
Although success in Enterprise Bargaining will always be a critical goal for our union, the opportunity and need to organise and use our collective strength does not end once the Agreement is signed. To achieve the outcomes necessary, UFUSA members will need to use their collective strength and take action to fight to improve our conditions, and our work health and safety, to ensure that we have the capacity to deliver the training you deserve and require, and, and to ensure that our Fire Service is properly funded.
Superannuation update:
As previously detailed in wordbacks, the union’s State Council invited representatives of the superannuation scheme to attend the last State Council. Resulting from that meeting, and from enquiries made by the union, we have received the attached correspondence which provides further information on the decision reached by the trustees.
The union will continue to consider the issue, including at upcoming State Council meetings and as more information is made available.
SOPP Course issue:
As discussed in previous Wordbacks, it is our position that those that completed SOPP Course 2 (which began last year) are eligible for this year’s SOPP Course 3. To avoid any confusion, it is my view that it is best that people to whom this applies who wish to undertake the course make sure they properly apply.
SAP6 and secondment lists:
I am expecting to soon receive a formal proposal from the Chief Officer on an amended SAP6, which will likely be considered at the next State Council meeting. As members will appreciate, coming to a fair policy and properly forming the list in order is likely to be a difficult process because of the number of boutique arrangements that have been entered into over many years.
There will doubtless be issues that will need to be worked through carefully to ensure that as fair an outcome as possible is reached.
Fuel costs, and travel allowances:
I have written to the Chief Officer recently on the issue of rising fuel costs, and the impact that this has had upon Firefighters who are using their personal vehicles for work related travel. We are particularly concerned about the additional financial impost that this is placing upon Firefighters, especially relievers.
As members may be aware, travel allowance rates are set in our Award with reference to decisions of the Commissioner for Public Sector Employment.
I have raised with the Chief Officer that it would be open to Firefighters to no longer be prepared to use their private vehicles, and to require SAMFS to arrange transport for them. This would very likely result in significantly increased cost to the service, as well as delays. It would be far better for the SAMFS and South Australian Government to come to a fair arrangement on travel allowances whilst world events out of our control have caused escalations.
The Chief Officer has advised me that SAMFS is facilitating discussions with the Office of the Commissioner for Public Sector Employment relating to travel costs, and will request that a review of travel allowance applicable to public sector employees occur.
UFUSA will continue to follow up on the issue, and we will consider all options to ensure that the burden of rising oil prices is not placed unfairly upon our members.
In Solidarity,
