The ballots for the contested positions on the UFUSA State Council closed yesterday, the count has now been conducted and candidates advised of the outcome.

Further meetings with the employer (the Department of Treasury and Finance and the MFS) are currently being scheduled, with our union proposing the next meeting on the Enterprise Agreement for Friday, 18 June 2021.

The UFU is pleased to accept the kind invitation from the APFF to host the Coffee Club scheduled for tomorrow morning.

The solidarity and commitment of members to our Safety and Resourcing Campaign has faced down all challenges to date and continues to drive slow but positive changes for MFS employees and others in the emergency services sector.

Safety and Resourcing Campaign bans were lifted on 30 April 2021, in response to the agreement of the Chief Officer to meet to discuss a range of issues of concern.

The following nominations have been accepted. As the elections for two of these positions are contested, a ballot for these positions will be necessary.

You may be aware that today is International Firefighters’ Day which is observed each year on 4th May.

Members are warmly congratulated for your extraordinary resolve and solidarity which has enabled our union to reach agreement today.

The latest wave of industrial actions was implemented from Tuesday, 27 April 2021 and this was advised to the MFS management by both Wordback No 18 on 24 April and by correspondence directed to the Chief Officer.

An item published today on the front page of The Advertiser today requires correction for members’ information, in relation to the UFU.

A strong message about the need for safety and resourcing in the MFS was sent to the employer by the hundreds of UFU members who took to the streets of Adelaide on 1 April.

United Firefighters’ Union of Australia (UFUA) South Australian Branch
Eligible members are advised that elections are now due for all office holders in the United Firefighters’ Union of Australia (UFUA) South Australian Branch.

With the courage of conviction, UFUSA members turned out in force at the Safety and Resourcing Campaign Rally last week, in solidarity with Ambos fighting for Safer Staffing Safer Community.

The UFU is proud to be turning out today with ambos to raise the common issue of concern to members of both our unions of the lack of resourcing of emergency services in SA and the failure of the Marshall government to properly address the issues being raised.

Our union, the United Fire Fighters Union of South Australia is proud to support the Mother’s Day Classic once again this year; it’s a fun, healthy and inspirational event that brings communities together all across Australia to support and remember those affected by breast cancer.

Members are advised that arrangements for an election under the Rules of the UFUSA Inc for positions on the UFUSA State Council have been made with the appointment of a Returning Officer, Mr Trevor Smith by the meeting of State Council held on 11 March 2021.

The MFS fleet continues to age with critical failures constantly reported.

An update on actions determined by State Council this week in relation to our Safety and Resourcing Campaign. With the Marshall government attacking first us and then the ambos union on the floor of Parliament, the cracks are beginning to show.

There appears to be no limit to the “smoke and mirrors” the Marshall government is prepared to deploy to avoid facing up to the critical resourcing needs in the fire and rescue services in SA.

UFU Shop Stewards and State Councillors met yesterday with our Safety and Resourcing Campaign a major agenda item.

Our safety and resourcing campaign is continuing to receive a lot of attention and support and we were pleased to host Senator Penny Wong at the union office on 11 February 2021.

Our UFUSA EA negotiating team met yesterday with the Marshall Government Treasurer and Minister for Industrial Relations Rob Lucas yesterday 8 February 2021, to discuss firefighters’ safety concerns caused by inadequate resourcing of the MFS.

Today a delegation of UFUSA members had a very positive meeting with the Deputy Leader of the Opposition, Dr Susan Close, to discuss our campaign for resourcing and safety in the SAMFS.

As reported in Wordback No 3 of 2021, a meeting was held with the employer (DCO Fletcher, ACFO Button, and Ms Somerville, of the MFS together with Mr Johnson and Ms Porter of the IRAP Branch of the Department of Treasury and Finance) last Friday, 22 January 2021, to attempt to continue to pursue enterprise bargaining negotiations.

Public drilling by D shift in the city on Friday, 15 January 2021 ensured an eventful day in which our union had the opportunity to inform our community about the critical issues confronting firefighters on a daily basis and the refusal by the employer to even discuss the concerns for over a year now.

The Marshall government and MFS management have persisted in refusing to discuss resourcing, in correspondence received this week.

The New Year has now well and truly kicked off and on behalf of us all at the UFUSA, I extend our very best wishes to all our members and families for a happy, safe and healthy 2021.

Yes, it’s Christmas again already, following what has been and still is, a busy year for everyone.