At the last EA negotiating meeting on 17 December 2019, the employer commenced outlining the issues they wish to be considered as a part of the EA negotiations.

The South Australian Government this week announced an independent review to be conducted into the unprecedented 2019/20 bushfire season with a focus on both the Kangaroo Island and Cuddly Creek bushfires.

Nominations open today for the election of the position of a Committee of Management member – Firefighter Representative. All members up to and including Senior Firefighters are eligible to stand for this State Council position.

Thank you to all members who have been working so hard to protect our community
throughout this extraordinary bushfire season. But of course, issues do arise amidst the hard work, the heat and the smoke.

The beginning of a new year is normally a cause of celebration and joy however this year, Australia has seen an unprecedented bush fire season with lives, homes, properties and animals sadly lost.

The UFUSA AGM agenda includes a range of interesting and important issues which will directly impact on the way forward for our Union.

Meetings of our State Council always have a very full agenda and yesterday’s meeting was no exception.

The first meeting to negotiate the next South Australian Metropolitan Fire Service Enterprise Agreement (EA) was held yesterday Wednesday, 9 October 2019.

As previously reported our claim for the second full 2% pay increase in relation to the Mid Term Productivity and Efficiency Review was granted on 29 August 2019.

A reminder that 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 on 29 August 2019.

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 on 29 August 2019.

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!