The State election is only a few days away and the UFU wants to remind members of the record of one of the candidates who’s getting a lot of attention.

Members are advised that the Fair Work Commission has made arrangements with the Australian Electoral Commission under Section 189 of the Fair Work (Registered Organisations) Act 2009 for an election to be conducted.

It’s pleasing to report to members the successful amendment to the Firefighting Industry Employees (South Australian Metropolitan Fire Service) Award 2007 to introduce an exemption for firefighters from the cut off provisions of the Return to Work Act.

Members are advised that 14 March 2018 will see nominations open for all elected positions for our Unions State Council.

During the Global Financial Crisis (GFC), where the SA Metropolitan Fire Service Superannuation Scheme suffered a financial loss, a Special Board of Trustees Meeting held on 4th March 2009 determined that all defined benefit members of our scheme would contribute an additional 3% of their salary to keep their defined benefit.

I am pleased to advise members of the UFU of the certification of the SAMFS Enterprise Agreement 2017 (EA) today in the SA Employment Tribunal (SAET).

The vote on the new Enterprise Agreement, which closed at 1800 hours today, has resulted in an overwhelming acceptance of the government’s offer.

The electronic ballot on whether to accept the EA offer, commenced 0630 hours on 22 November, and will close at 1800 hours on 29 November 2017.

As advised to members in previous Word Backs and at meetings around the state over the last month, an electronic ballot on the EA offer, will commence 06:30 hours on 22 November, closing at 18:00 hours on 29 November 2017.

As previously advised, a renewed offer for our new Enterprise Agreement (EA) was received from the government on 20 October 2017.

A renewed offer for our Enterprise Agreement (EA) was received from the Government this morning by email.

Negotiations for our next enterprise agreement (EA) are now progressing well and I am
cautiously optimistic that the Union will soon receive a renewed offer which I can recommend for your consideration.

As previously reported, the UFU had some concerns with and questions about, the
government’s renewed offer (of 29 September 2017) on our enterprise agreement which
needed to be addressed.

A renewed offer on our Enterprise Agreement (EA) was received from the government late
yesterday.

The UFU State Council and Shop Stewards met again today to hear a report on the progress
of negotiations for our next Enterprise Agreement (EA).

The UFU State Council and Shop Stewards met yesterday to discuss the way forward on our
next Enterprise Agreement (EA).

The UFU yesterday (22/8) met with the Minister for Emergency Services Peter Malinauskas, the SAMFS and the Office for the Public Sector (OPS) to discuss the contentious Government offer for our new Enterprise Agreement (EA), in more detail.

A joint meeting of the UFU State Council and Shop Stewards was held on Wednesday 9 August 2017 to hear a report on the enterprise bargaining negotiations.

UFU Members have reported receiving advice of adjustments from the SAMFS, to their accumulated sick leave.

Bargaining for our next Enterprise Agreement (EA) has been taking place since early this year, between the SAMFS, the Office for the Public Sector (OPS) and the UFU.

There are currently 12 cancers recognised under the presumptive legislation for which firefighters may be compensated, as these cancers were caused by exposure at work to carcinogens.

During the GFC, where the SA Metropolitan Fire Service Superannuation Scheme suffered a financial loss, a Special Board Of Trustees Meeting was held.

With team captains Senior Firefighter Jo-Anna Kenny, Communications OfficerCarly White and Station Office Neil Mangelsdorf the Union will again be participating in the Mothers’ Day Classic.