Bans on the use of 3M AFFF foam concentrate are now lifted on the strict proviso that the foam is used only on major ‘B’ class fires and only where no other method of extinguishment is available – until all of the sub standard foam is replaced. All pumping appliances will now carry at least one drum of ‘clean’ foam concentrate and any member using the 3M AFFF concentrate is to be immediately decontaminated onsite and should fill in a near miss form. Read more…
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March 30, 2007
March 29, 2007
All members are instructed not to use 3M AFFF foam concentrate either carried on your appliance or in your station’s store. If you have any doubt about the type of foam you are being asked to use you and your comrades should refuse to use it until you are satisfied that the foam is not the 3M AFFF product.
tags | foam, OH&S
March 27, 2007
This afternoon the Department and the Union met for a briefing about the current bans on the ‘3M AFFF’ foam concentrate and how best to deal with it without exposing FBEU members to unacceptable risk. During that meeting the Union was able to establish that the Department has been slowly but surely phasing out the use of ‘3M AFFF’ across NSW since mid 2000 due to the presence of a class of chemicals known as perfluoro octanyl sulfonates that are damaging to the environment and to people. Read more…
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March 26, 2007
Members may be surprised to learn that after a five year delay, David Hicks’ appointment with a perverted form of justice will begin today when he is arraigned in a Military Commission. As far as we know, this short process will set dates for his trial and allow him to enter a plea. While that’s a major step forward it’s still entirely inadequate.
Inadequate is actually a rather nice way of saying repulsive. That’s because David Hicks and his father Terry (see the most recent Union Journal for his article) have consistently maintained that David has been subject to torture including beatings and sexual assault and other inhumane treatment including extended periods of solitary confinement whilst he has been held without charge. It’s also repulsive because the Commission that will be dishing out its form of justice will be operating on a lower standard of fairness than your Local Court must apply and does apply every day. Believe it or not, David Hicks is lucky though. About 60 to 80 of the 400 or so prisoners at Guantanamo Bay will face these Commissions. But those who do not, because of a lack of evidence, face indefinite detention without trial. Worse still, the Bush administration does not even reveal the number of detainees or the locations of secret detention facilities across the world where people are being tortured and worse every day. How’s that for respecting human rights?
We also know that any admission of guilt by David should be dealt with a high degree of caution – particularly as its entirely plausible that it was literally tortured, beaten and drugged out of him. After all, what would you do to get out of Guantanamo?
We’ve taken this step of asking for David’s release because our Government hasn’t: despite other countries insisting that their citizens be returned home and the US acquiescing when these entirely reasonable requests are made. That’s right. We’ve given up on the Howard Government to protect David Hicks’ rights – or yours. So how can you help? Get your platoon and station to sign the petition on the next page and fax it back to the Union on (02) 92676304 by 0800hrs 2 April 2007 so we can arrange for it to be delivered to the US Congress.
Simon Flynn
State Secretary
Members may be surprised to learn that after a five year delay, David Hicks’ appointment with a perverted form of justice will begin today when he is arraigned in a Military Commission. As far as we know, this short process will set dates for his trial and allow him to enter a plea. While that’s a major step forward it’s still entirely inadequate. Read more…
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March 26, 2007
Use or storage of the 3M products known as 3% and 6% Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF) concentrate is now banned by the Union. Even though the Department has stopped purchasing and using this product for a number of years, the Union believes that in some instances it is still being used for ‘training purposes’.
Besides banning its use, Members are also instructed to search the Station for these chemicals, collect and tag them as a hazard and to notify the Department’s Health Services Unit so that they can be removed from your workplace.
Members at Retained Stations in particular should have a good look for this foam as the Union believes that this foam constitutes both an unacceptable and avoidable risk to members and their families. It has come to light that the Australian Military believes this product can cause serious health problems including:
• Central nervous system depression,
• nausea,
• vomiting and sometimes diarrhoea in humans.
Other symptoms include:
• abdominal and lumbar pain,
• changes in the urine or absence of urine, and
• pathological lesions in the brain, lung, liver and heart.
Observations in animals suggest a remote possibility or pulmonary oedema (swelling and/or fluid accumulation in the lungs) and bone marrow depression. Experimental animal studies have also shown injury to the liver, kidney, spleen, and testes.
On that basis, Members should treat this material as hazardous by (as a minimum) not allowing it to come into contact with the skin or breath in its fumes.
Simon Flynn
State Secretary
Use or storage of the 3M products known as 3% and 6% Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF) concentrate is now banned by the Union. Even though the Department has stopped purchasing and using this product for a number of years, the Union believes that in some instances it is still being used for ‘training purposes’. Read more…
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March 22, 2007
Earlier this week the Union received a petition in accordance with Rule 11 calling for a Special General Meeting of members to consider the following.
That: the N.S.W. Fire Brigade Employees Union hereby be instructed by its members to rescind the State Committee resolution posted on the 1st of June concerning permanent members covering retained shortages and re-instate as an interim policy the principles contained in the NSWFBEU letter of 30th April 1996 entitled “Retained Staffing In-Orders 1995/20 Explained” In particular, part 3(D), until such time as a new policy can be debated and voted on by all members. Read more…
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March 22, 2007
Well if it can happen to him, it can happen to you. That’s why the Union is urging all members to have a good look at their Superannuation statement’s to see if the Department has made regular and consistent payments to your retirement nest egg.
If there is a shadow of a doubt about your Superannuation statement contact the Department’s pay roll office on (02) 92652838.
If you’re not satisfied with their help (which you should request in writing) don’t hesitate to contact your Union.
Whether or not you contact the payroll office, the Union will require the Department to audit its superannuation payments across the Brigade and we will follow up any additional discrepancies that may be unearthed.
You can also be rest assured that the Department will be compensating the particular firie who has missed out on 8 years of contributions, with interest, as well.
Who would have thought?
Simon Flynn
State Secretary
Recently the Union was approached by a member with a story that on first glance appeared to be unbelievable. His superannuation statement seemed frozen in time, despite working for the Brigade for years. However it’s true; The Department has acknowledged that it has some how forgotten to pay any superannuation payments for this Union member between 1999 and 2006. Read more…
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March 13, 2007
The next 4% pay rise for permanent members took effect on Friday 2 March and will appear in permanent members’ pays this Thursday, 15 March. This is the final increase payable under the current award before it expires in February 2008, and negotiations for the next award will commence shortly. Read more…
tags | award, payrise
March 8, 2007
Following the resolution of last month’s Special General Meeting your Union has hit the campaign trail running by making some striking election material that urges the public not to vote for the Liberals in the looming the 24 March State election. Read more…
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March 5, 2007
The Full Bench of the NSW Industrial Relations Commission (IRC) handed down a new D&D Award last Monday, 26 February following 18 months of long and difficult negotiations between the Union and the Public Employment Office. Read more…
tags | D&D, Death and Disability