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No. 8 Stn Liverpool – minimum staffing

February 2, 1999

All members are hereby instructed that the minimum staffing for No. 8 Stn Liverpool is STATION OFFICER & SEVEN (7) FIREFIGHTERS PER PLATOON.

If the Department cannot maintain its fleet, it is not the Union’s problem. Further, if the Union allows the Department to actually capitalise on the absence of the aerial appliance (supposedly) allocated to the station, there will be no incentive for the Department to maintain its fleet. That is to say, the Department would actually profit from the absence of appliances if it is allowed to use the “spare” firefighters to fill vacancies – and therefore cut out overtime – elsewhere.

Members would also be aware that the Union had previously negotiated a position whereby the training for the aerial was to be completed and the appliance brought on line by November 1998. For whatever reason (and we have been given many), this has not occurred. Again, if the Department cannot maintain its fleet, it is not the fault of this Union’s members.

Accordingly, all members are hereby instructed that effective 1800 hours today, minimum staffing of No. 8 Station Liverpool is to be maintained at all times.

There are to be no out-duties performed if the staffing is equal to or less than S/O and 7. Further, if the staffing at the commencement of shift is below S/O and 7, the entire Station is to remain off-line until such time as recalls or out-duties arrive to bring the Station up to safe minimum staffing levels of S/O  and 7.

If the Department doesn’t like the Union’s approach, there is one very easy way for SW management to get around it: put an aerial at 8 Station, and keep it there!

 

Chris Read

State Secretary

·      Members with any queries regarding this instruction are asked to contact your Station Delegate, Comrade Clint Demkin in the first instance.

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