News

Short changed by $500 000

January 25, 2007

After numerous meetings, the exchange of correspondence and the listing of a dispute by the Union to the NSW Industrial Relations Commission, the Department has finally succumbed to its obligation to pay retained firefighters in accordance with the Retained Award.

The dispute related to the award entitlements of retained members who formed part of the strike teams that attended the Victorian and Tumut fires late last year. Put simply, the Department refused to pay according to the Award and the Union demanded payment in accordance with the Award.

Unsurprisingly, the Union’s position eventually held sway. The $500,000.00 that the Department withheld from members will soon be where it belongs: in members’ pockets.

Simon Flynn

State Secretary