Ventia will continue its strategic partnership with Defence after securing a six year, $584m contract for Firefighting Services in July. The new contract will commence in 2024 and has options for extension beyond 2030, allaying possible job insecurity concerns of UFU members employed by Ventia at Edinburgh and Woomera as well as many other sites nationally.
The work involved encompasses airfield, structural and bushfire response, emergency and rescue services, fire training and Hazmat response with Ventia having the largest privatised firefighter force in Australia, numbers rising to 370 employees including 309 qualified firefighters with the awarding of this contract.
Mr Paul Nicholls Ventia National Project Director Defence Operational Services has kindly been in contact with me recently to touch base over some of the changes taking place in the roles of management personnel affecting SA and particularly the appointment of Mr Glen Wood. He also indicated that consultation in relation to Woomera will be initiated in the near future; members can be assured that our elected Shop Stewards will be directly involved.
WHSR/SHOP STEWARD ELECTIONS
Members are advised that nominations in these elections will be called in the near future by Returning Officer Rachel Eisen. The delay has been caused by a database failure which we expect to be rectified shortly. Meantime the term of office is extended for the necessary additional period and current Shop Stewards are urged to attend the EA meeting of State Councillors and Shop Stewards on Monday 9 September 2024 at the Union Office.
DRAFT SAP 36 FEEDBACK
The MFS has issued the revamped draft SAP 36 for consultation and all members are encouraged once again to review this document and respond. It would be appreciated if any responses can also be directed to our office via info@ufusa.com.au in order that your feedback can be incorporated into your Union’s comprehensive submission to the employer.
The State Council has dedicated some collective time this week to meet to go through the draft of what is probably one of the most important MFS documents and accordingly your input and assistance in ensuring all aspects are covered, will be much appreciated.
FATIGUE POLICY
A draft Fatigue Policy has also been issued by the MFS seeking feedback on it. Once again, members are encouraged to take an active interest in checking the document out and forwarding your questions, comments and concerns to your Union on email to info@ufusa.com.au
NOTICE OF SICK LEAVE REQUIRED BY MFS
A perennial issue which raises its head for UFUSA members is the notice the employer says is necessary for you to give before taking sick leave.
It is often suggested that you must give notice of your absence by particular times to be entitled to take your personal (sick) leave, and leave cannot be paid if that notice is not given.
That’s simply not the correct picture.
Consistent with the terms of Clause 19 of the Award (see UFUSA website www.ufusa.com.au for the Award), to be entitled to sick leave you must give notice of the sickness as soon as practicable before your next rostered starting time, including the nature and its estimated duration before the period for which leave begins where possible, however if the nature or sudden onset of sickness makes that impossible, you are still entitled to payment of sick leave if you give notice as soon as practicable and not later than 24 hours after the period begins, notice to be given by telephone at the first opportunity.
In terms of the evidence that must be provided to support sick leave: you do not need to provide evidence for a continued absence of up to two attendances, up to 5 absences in an anniversary year, and a medical certificate or statutory declaration must be provided for any absence of more than three attendances.
We have identified that the current draft SAP36 is not consistent with the Award’s provisions, and we will address that in our UFU submission as part of the consultation process.
In Solidarity
