The UFU has been back at the South Australian Employment Tribunal seeking an outcome to our dispute about the unacceptable ongoing storage of PPE in engine bays occurring throughout a number of MFS stations.
Members may recall from previous WordBacks that the MFS had been proposing ‘encapsulated tents’ within engine bays, and other obviously unacceptable measures to deal with the issue.
We are pleased that the MFS has now agreed that it is necessary to ensure that the PPE is removed from engine bays as an interim measure prior to the completion of building works.
We will work with the MFS on a schedule for each impacted station to be assessed to identify the appropriate solution for that station, whether that be utilising another room at the station for PPE storage or the fitting out of an appropriate temporary structure.
It is our understanding that two ATCO huts will soon be provided to Port Pirie to address the issue up there.
Although it has been a grind, we are glad to be starting to see progress and that the Chief Officer is working with us on finding solutions.
The health and safety of our member Firefighters must always be a priority.
KADINA STATION
Thank you to all our members who welcomed us to Kadina Station last week sharing views about the issues with the station which are ongoing. While we are pleased that there has been some actions taken to address the issues, please be assured that the ongoing matters you have raised are being addressed with the MFS including:
Issues with the external shower block which mean that members are still having to decontaminate at home;
The need for seals and door closer on the door to the new (tiny) PPE room;
Concerns regarding the proposal to renovate the current Station which is not fit for purpose as it is for example too small and very poorly located.
We are advised by the MFS that the issue of nonreceipt of medals is being investigated with a view to resolution and that the query re-lateral entry is being addressed as well.
Meanwhile we acknowledge and are thankful that the new “throne” seat has been installed!
RECALL TRAVEL PAYMENTS (CLAUSE 14 OF THE AWARD)
Our union is working to rectify an issue relating to clause 14 of the Award, and travel payments payable to members working recalls.
We have written to the MFS on multiple occasions over the course of the last few months seeking that the MFS investigate whether it has appropriately made payments, and if not, that it ensures that members receive any monies owed promptly, with interest.
It is our understanding that the issues potentially relate to the failure to pay travel rates for return trips but also may include whether the correct amount has been paid for travel to the recall.
We can confirm that the MFS has now agreed to have an independent review conducted on the correct application of the relevant Award clauses, with a view towards correctly identifying amounts that members may be owed, and rectifying any money owed.
This is a positive step towards having the issue rectified for all impacted members, we will keep you advised when we have more information.
SAP36, PROMOTIONS, AND ACTING DOWN
The MFS has approached the UFU to consult regarding a proposal that it promote 10 above above the minimum station officer numbers, in exchange for the additionally promoted Station Officers then being available to ‘act down’ when there is an excess.
Under the proposal Station Officer Level 1s could be asked to act down at any station in any senior firefighter position to meet the optimum riding configuration, and Commander and Level 2 Station Officers could be required to Act down at Adelaide Station to achieve the optimum riding configuration. The proposal would remove the current SAP36 limit on the number of persons who can perform alternative duties, and priorities for the positions in which they can act down.
The proposal is intended to be repeated (i.e. promotions continue to occur above the minimum numbers).
State Council is currently considering the proposal, and whether or not to allow a trial of this process (including, potentially, through introducing protections into the enterprise agreement).
It is recognised that this would impact both the interests of the persons who might be promoted under the proposal, but also members who currently perform act ups, which are likely to be significantly reduced in availability.
We welcome all members’ views on the issue being emailed direct to us care of the office email address: info@ufusa.com.au You can also speak to your Shop Steward if you have queries or concerns about the matter as this issue will be discussed at the next Shop Stewards meeting on 12 August 2025.
If you have views on the appropriate response, please do provide them. We do have regard to the responses we receive in forming positions.
CHANGES TO NOMINATED RELIEVER SYSTEM
We have received contact from members who had been advised that nominated reliever positions have been removed. We have raised this issue with the Chief Officer, who has advised that this is only a proposal for consultation and not a change that should have been implemented to date.
In the event that we receive a proposal from the MFS, this will be a matter for consultation with members.
SENIOR FIREFIGHTER OVERPAYMENTS
Issues relating to Senior Firefighters pay errors have been ongoing for some time. We are aware of a number of members having received overpayment notices from Shared Services and the like.
We have previously raised this issue with the MFS and had understood that the MFS would put all recoveries on hold until it had provided information to the UFU about the alleged overpayments. This did not occur. We have written to the MFS again insisting that the agreed upon approach be followed.
In the meantime, if you have received a notice we strongly recommend that you scrutinise the amounts said to be overpaid: the few that we have reviewed have revealed significant errors that overstated the amounts owed by members. As always, please contact our office if you would like assistance with this, or any other issue.
LATERAL ENTRY
Chief Officer Jeff Swann and I are conducting a review of the process of Lateral Entry starting with the agreed process between our union and the SAMFS and the ways in which that agreement was undermined and subverted in the first iteration of the program.
The Chief is proposing a further process be conducted in the second half of this year and our union is positive about the proposal providing that it is based on the original principles of transparency and fairness to participants with realistic timeframes.
Retained members have requested that they be eligible for inclusion in this process and the parties are in agreement that this should be possible based on a qualifying period of MFS employment and of course meeting the same standards as other applicants.
APFF COFFEE CLUB MORNING TEA
The UFU was thrilled to have the opportunity to host the Coffee Club last month and thanks everybody who came along and made it such a great occasion.
JACK CROSSMAN RETIREMENT SOCIAL
Our Union is pleased to once again sponsor this important initiative of the MFS Firefighters Club which recognises and celebrates the contribution of our SAMFS members retiring this year after long and selfless service to our community.
Scheduled for Friday 29 August 2025 at the Intercontinental Hotel on North Terrace 6:30 to 11:30 PM, we look forward to seeing you there to join us in honouring our 2025 Retirees.
VENTIA UPDATE
Members employed by Ventia are currently confronted by a range of concerning issues including the following two matters:
INCOME PROTECTION INSURANCE
Members are advised that the company have confirmed by email to us today that changes to provisions of the income protection insurance required by EA clause 43.2 were effective as at 1 August 2024.
This is the first formal confirmation that we have been able to obtain from the company in relation to this matter. The absence of advice or consultation by the company was not addressed by them however in an email today, the company advised the following:
- Premium rate increased
- Waiting period increased from 14 days to 28 days
- Income replacement ratio for both workplace and non-workplace injury and sickness reduced to 75% of average weekly earnings
The company says that these changes were made by the insurer due to the high loss ratio across the collective policies for Ventia Australia Pty Ltd. They say they ‘were part of a broader remediation strategy to ensure the sustainability of the insurance program while maintaining coverage for employees’. Ventia says it acknowledges the impact of these adjustments and remains committed to supporting our workforce.
The changes are of course unacceptable, and this matter is being addressed with the company by our union however it appears that the traditional cooperative relationship may have passed its use by date.
NO LIGHTS AND SIRENS AT EDINBURGH?
Meantime, a provisional improvement notice (PIN) has been issued at Edinburgh on the basis that the PCBU has failed to meet its duty under Section 19 of the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 by not ensuring, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health and safety of workers. This failure specifically relates to the lack of clear instruction and direction regarding the use of red and blue emergency lights in traffic and low-visibility environments. These are high-risk operational settings that require defined critical controls.
The PCBU has not fulfilled its obligation under Section 47 (Duty to consult with workers). There has been only one formal written communication on this matter, which did not resolve the concerns or clarify expectations. All subsequent dialogue has occurred via phone or informal verbal conversations, which have not provided any meaningful consultation or documented commitments. We congratulate the members involved in addressing these serious matters and advise that a meeting with the Company on the issue is scheduled for 1.30pm on Friday 8 August 2025.
UFU SHOP STEWARDS MEETING RE ENTERPRISE BARGAINING
A reminder to all Shop Stewards employed by MFS of the Shoppies meeting scheduled for:
10:00 – 14:30 hours
TUESDAY 12 August 2025
UFUSA Office 148 South Road Torrensville
The agenda will include a full report on the EA negotiations and consideration of next steps as well as updates on a wide range of issues currently being addressed. Deployment has been sought for all those rostered to work on this day – please call us on 8352 7211 if you are unsure of arrangements.
All Shop Stewards are urged to attend with RSVPs at your earliest opportunity to info@ufusa.com.au appreciated in order that lunch catering is facilitated.
I look forward to seeing you there.
In Solidarity,
