South Yorkshire firefighters threatened with mass sackings again
Department backs down on dinner allowance
The Department recently conceded, after many months of resistance, that Dinner Allowances (Clause 26.3.1.3 of the Permanents’ Award) are payable to members who undertake recalls to maintain minimum staffing requirements. The conditions for the payment of Dinner Allowances are as follows:
you are required to perform official duty at a temporary work location;
you are not required to reside away from home (so it’s a one day journey); and
you are required to work/travel beyond 1830 hours and at least one and a half hours after your normal ceasing time.
For example, you’re stationed at 52 Campsie so your normal ceasing time on day shift is 1800 hours. You perform a recall due to staff shortages at (say) Picton and cease travelling home at 1930 hours, you are entitled to a Dinner Allowance (currently set at $43.00). Claims for the dinner allowance should be made on a Miscellaneous Voucher in the usual way. Members who have had previous claims rejected within the last 6 years should re-submit them now for back pay.
Don’t get caught out – have an observer
Despite the Union issuing repeated advice that members are entitled to observers when meeting with management, a retained firefighter was called to attend a meeting over the Christmas period unaccompanied and then pressured to disclose information concerning a non-work related police matter. The Union informed the Zone Commander that the member would not be attending the meeting without a representative present and further that the member was not obliged to disclose anything regarding the police investigation. Members are again reminded when you are asked to have a chat with the boss contact the Union and have an observer present.
South Yorkshire firefighters threatened with mass sackings again
SITREP 23/2009 reported on the long running and bitter dispute between the FBU and South Yorkshire Fire Service concerning rosters. This dispute remains unresolved with FBU members rejecting the latest proposal from management to move to a roster of two 11 hours day shifts and two 13 hours night shifts (they are currently on 9/15). In response management has written individually to firefighters notifying them that if they do not accept the new roster by 18 January they will be sacked and rehired on new contracts. A meeting of FBU members is scheduled for tomorrow.
Don’t get caught out – have an observer
Despite the Union issuing repeated advice that members are entitled to observers when meeting with management, a retained firefighter was called to attend a meeting over the Christmas period unaccompanied and then pressured to disclose information concerning a non-work related police matter. The Union informed the Zone Commander that the member would not be attending the meeting without a representative present and further that the member was not obliged to disclose anything regarding the police investigation. Members are again reminded when you are asked to have a chat with the boss contact the Union and have an observer present.
South Yorkshire firefighters threatened with mass sackings again
SITREP 23/2009 reported on the long running and bitter dispute between the FBU and South Yorkshire Fire Service concerning rosters. This dispute remains unresolved with FBU members rejecting the latest proposal from management to move to a roster of two 11 hours day shifts and two 13 hours night shifts (they are currently on 9/15). In response management has written individually to firefighters notifying them that if they do not accept the new roster by 18 January they will be sacked and rehired on new contracts. A meeting of FBU members is scheduled for tomorrow.
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