CODE RED – Relieving bans to commence 0800hrs 14 May
May 14, 2010
In March this year the Union agreed to the Department’s request for a without-prejudice trial of what could be termed “unorthodox” Return to Work arrangements at 27 Station.
In a disturbing turn the Department this week walked away from that understanding, thereby unfairly and irresponsibly placing the injured retained firefighter concerned at the centre of a major industrial dispute and trashing the Union’s good will on this issue. The Department’s actions also threaten to undermine long-standing agreements between the parties on staffing within the Greater Sydney Area, together with the D&D entitlements of all members, permanent and retained.
The Union yesterday requested that the previously agreed RTW trial, whereby the injured retained firefighter would “work in the zone office on project work for the ZC and would also go with the DC to incidents and drills etc” be reverted to for today, without prejudice to either party, in order to allow proper discussions between the parties to take place. A reasonable request, and one which the Department flatly rejected.
Accordingly, all members are hereby instructed that effective on and from 0800 hours today, Friday 14 May 2010 no member is to perform any relieving, stand-bys or out-duties. Members are to return to and remain at their base station, save for GSA-based members who are currently relieving out of the GSA, who should remain at their present location.
These bans are to remain in place until 1400 hours today, Friday 14 May, at which time (and not beforehand) members are to then resume normal duties, including the performance of relieving and out-duties. Members on recall who are relieved as a result of the lifting of these bans should cease work, but remain entitled to a minimum four hours’ pay at overtime rates as per Award subclause 9.6.1.
