In the absence of a satisfactory response from the employer to the matters in dispute and to fight for an enterprise agreement outcome that makes sure this can’t happen again, industrial actions will escalate from tomorrow Friday, 22 October 2021 at 08:00 hours.
Industrial actions unanimously endorsed by State Council last week escalate at 0800 hours today Monday 18 October 2021, with members gadded to act up, returning to their substantive positions.
Today State Council unanimously endorsed industrial action in response to the employer demoting members from the rank of SFFQ without a proper process.
Our union has been pursuing the issue of improved training, development and promotion processes within the MFS, commencing with the Senior Firefighter Qualified rank, for some time.
The UFUSA Conference of Shop Stewards and State Councillors held last week expressed deep concern about the ongoing failure of the employer to address the risk of exposure to diesel particulate matter (DPM) in our workplace and called on them to immediately meet their obligations under the Work Health and Safety Act 2012.
This update follows the events on the streets of Melbourne this week and the attack on the CFMMEU office.
Our Union has resolved to organise a conference of all UFUSA Shop Stewards and State Councillors to enable us to get together on a range of current issues.
343 firefighters were lost on 11 September 2001 and since then it’s reported that nearly a thousand more have died as a consequence of turning out that day.
SA Unions has advised that a rally is being organised for tomorrow morning when the Liberal Party is holding its conference, and we are invited to participate.
Your elected Work Health and Safety Representatives are meeting this Friday, 20 August 2021 commencing at 10:00 hours at your union office at 148 South Road Torrensville and via Zoom with regional locations.
It was good to have the first meeting of the new State Council yesterday and there was plenty on the agenda including the SFQ dispute, underpayments, updating on the Safety and Resourcing Campaign, Enterprise Agreement negotiations, UFU staffing, diesel particulates, PFAS, drug and alcohol testing, the MFS Respectful Behaviour Working Party, the MFS Strategic Policy Framework Review and a report on the latest on PPE/C.
The enterprise bargaining meeting of 4 August 2021 repeated the previous pattern of the employer continuing to stonewall on the issue of safety and resourcing, refusing to even discuss asset management plans or to propose another for where these critical issues can be discussed.
Throughout the pandemic crises in 2020 our union worked closely, even collaboratively with MFS management in the interests of members’ health and safety and that of the broader community.
How refreshing to see such energy and enthusiasm for work health and safety as is currently being displayed by the employer at the SAMFS.
Call for nominations for Health and Safety Representatives/Shop Stewards and Deputy Health and Safety Representatives/Shop Stewards.
Return to Work SA (RTWSA) and Minister for Workers Compensation in SA Rob Lucas, have been caught out being in cahoots on a plan to further reduce the entitlements of injured workers.
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.
and then