The Decision of the Single Bargaining Centre (SBC) on our claim for the second full 2% pay increase in relation to the Mid Term Productivity and Efficiency Review was handed down this afternoon.

Thank you to the wonderful group of UFU Shop Stewards who attended the training course conducted at the UFU this week.

The UFU has put our case on behalf of all members employed under the South Australian Metropolitan Fire Service Enterprise Agreement 2017 (EA) to the Single Bargaining Centre (SBC) for the second full 2% pay increase in relation to the Mid Term Review, last Friday 16 August 2019.

The UFU is currently working on our presentation and argument to the Single Bargaining Centre (SBC) in relation to the Mid Term Review.

So now we know what firefighters are worth, at least in the eyes of the MFS.

The UFU has comprehensively reported on the extensive work and resources we have committed to the productivity and efficiency reviews in accordance with the Terms of Settlement of the Metropolitan Fire Service Enterprise Agreement 2017.

UFU is commencing a campaign of industrial action from 0800 today in response to intransigence by MFS management about the application of the additional resources achieved by the UFU in the last EA.

The UFU was invited to meet with the MFS Chief Officer Michael Morgan and Deputy Chief Officer Paul Fletcher yesterday afternoon to seek a resolution to the impasse which led to the imposition of the industrial campaign which commenced at 0800 hours on Monday 15 July 2019.

The UFU State Council decision of 11 July 2019 to take direct action certainly prompted a swift response from MFS management yesterday.

The response to both the full time and retained member surveys has been really heartening so thank you to all who have participated to date.

The surveys re the UFU log of claims for the next round of enterprise bargaining are out!

On Monday 17 June the Union negotiating team met with SAFMS and government representatives to progress the second of the midpoint productivity reviews committed to as part of the settlement of our Enterprise Agreement.

The Union is working intensively with our Shop Stewards and State Councillors in the preparation of the log of claim items.

A meeting of the Shop Stewards was held on Friday 31 May 2019 at the Union Office. The primary purpose of the meeting was to continue the work necessary to be properly prepared for our forthcoming EB negotiations.

The UFU was made aware this week of a potential serious OHS risk with the valves on the BA tanks.

A reminder that the UFU Shop Stewards representing full time firefighters will be meeting on Friday 31 May at the Union Office at 0930 hours, largely to develop the EA Log of Claims.

It’s great to see rain again but it’s a pity that some first responders are expected to ‘enjoy’ it more than others.

Following recent meetings with members at the Police Academy, the UFU office has been working hard to assist the MFS in finding more suitable interim arrangements for displaced Largs North Station Crews.

A meeting between the MFS and the UFU has been urgently organised to discuss the dispute between us in relation to the interim arrangements provided to the Largs North Station Crews and the lack of consultation from the Service about longer term arrangements for Largs.

As reported last week, we have scheduled a meeting for interested members to get together to talk about PFAS.

Thank you to all those of you who have participated in the UFU PFAS Survey following the receipt of your blood test results.

The UFU is proud of the progressive and inclusive work we collectively do and of the widespread support of members, for our union.

Inquiries from concerned members prompted the Union to raise a query in February with the MFS HR about how our members’ travel claims are being assessed and processed.

Preliminary results of ground water testing at Largs North Station indicate that high levels of PFAS are present however the MFS is unlikely to be the main source of contamination of the site.

The South Australian Metropolitan Fire Service Enterprise Agreement 2017 will expire on 1 January 2020. As negotiations for a new agreement will commence no later than 6 months prior to the expiry, it’s time to talk about and to prepare our log of claims.

The working bee at the UFU office is being held this week on Wednesday 6 and Thursday, 7 February 2019.

Just a reminder that the next UFU WHS/Shop Stewards meeting is scheduled for 10:00 hours on Friday, 22 February 2019 at the UFU office, 148 South Road Torrensville.

The State Council is currently embarked upon the long overdue project of repairing and refurbishing our union office at 148 South Road Torrensville.

Best wishes to all members for a happy and safe New Year from all of us at the UFU; 2019 is already shaping up to be an interesting and challenging one for firefighters on many fronts.

Preliminary test reports on Largs North Station and the MV Gallantry have been received by the MFS.