The UFUSA attended a further conciliation conference at the South Australian Employment Tribunal on 17 August 2026.

It is always inspiring to see such passionate and knowledgeable discussion on issues of
importance taking place from your work place representatives. A few important updates to members arising from that meeting

We are proud that yesterday the South Australian Court of Appeal upheld our appeal and determined that Firefighters who have accepted ‘schedule 1’ Award claims (dealing with additional compensation after the expiry of return to work act entitlements for injuries that arise in particular circumstances) are entitled to receive enterprise agreement pay rises back to their date of injury (in most cases). 

It will be no shock to members that PPE laundering, repair and return has reached crisis point within SAMFS. 

You may not have seen the above chart before. It is from the January 2026 Commonwealth Productivity Commission report into Fire Services expenditure per person across Australia. 

The United Firefighters Union of South Australia recognises that today is May Day.

Every three years the South Australian Employment Tribunal conducts a review of the Awards which apply to the South Australian State Sector (relevantly, all Firefighters engaged in the South Australian Metropolitan Fire Service). 

Every day in Australia 61 people are diagnosed with breast or ovarian cancer, and 12 people die from breast or ovarian cancer. 

A reminder that our first Shop Stewards meeting of 2026 will be held on Tuesday at the UFUSA Offices beginning at 10am.

The first of the union-won pay rises from the SAMFS Enterprise Agreement 2025 hit members bank accounts this week, with back pay to follow in the time frame identified in the last WordBack.

SAMFS Enterprise Agreement Approved!  I am very pleased to be able to advise members that the South Australian Metropolitan Fire Service Enterprise Agreement 2025 has

South Australian Employment Tribunal gives notice of intention to approve SAMFS Enterprise Agreement 

On Friday 30 January 2026 I attended a directions hearing before the South Australian Employment Tribunal on behalf of the UFUSA. 

I advise members that the proposed enterprise agreement was filed with the South Australian Employment Tribunal by the deemed employer on 5 January 2026. 

Results have been received from the Enterprise Agreement ballot. 

From everyone at the UFUSA Office, we wish you all a Merry Christmas, and extend our gratitude to those of you who are working over this period. We are always in awe your service to our communities.

Members now have their opportunity to vote on the enterprise agreement. We encourage all members to have their say and to vote early. 

Members will have now received a copy of the proposed enterprise agreement, along with voting information. 

An update that we’re sure all members have been awaiting: we are currently expecting that the final version of the Enterprise Agreement will be released to eligible workers on Monday 15 December 2025.

Our AGM for 2025 will be held on Thursday, 11 December 2025 at the UFU’s offices at 148 South Road Torrensville.

A Bill to extend the number of cancers presumptively covered under workers compensation legislation for Firefighters passed the South Australian Parliament with unanimous support. 

With negotiations on the terms of offer for our new Enterprise Agreement proceeding so well, we have agreed to lift all bans in recognition of good faith bargaining from 08:00 hours on Wednesday, 19 November 2025. 

I am able to advise members that our discussions with Government during the week have been fruitful and have resulted in remaining potential stumbling blocks to a draft agreement being presented being resolved.

We are hard at work trying to get into a position where a finalised enterprise agreement offer worthy of consideration by UFU members is able to be formally put to members by the employer.

At our AGM scheduled for 11 December 2025, Members will receive a report from our Auditor who will speak to and answer questions about the audited accounts of both the UFUSA Inc and the UFUA SA Branch.

Congratulations Everyone! The success of our collective actions in our campaign for a Fair Go for Firies has brought us significant change to the stance of the employer on our new Enterprise Agreement in less than six weeks. 

Public Protests – Our UFU Campaign Disputes Committee met this week and determined that in October, in the absence of a renewed offer from the employer, we will continue our campaign of escalating action and commence public protests and activities.

A huge thank you and congratulations to everyone who turned out to last Sunday’s Fun Run; it started out very grey and drizzly but that didn’t douse the spirits of everyone involved.

Kudos to members who are promoting our Fair Go For Firies Campaign by participating in (or supporting) the City To Bay Fun Run 2025 on Sunday, 21 September, THIS SUNDAY!!! raising funds for the Black Dog Institute in honour of our late Comrade Adrienne Clarke.

The UFUSA has been made aware by SAMFS of further issues relating to travel allowances.