The FBEU has had significant interest from members regarding our call for Expressions of Interest for an internal industrial action committee.
The FBEU remains committed to seeking a reasonable resolution to the Award however we must be ready to escalate our campaign for fair terms and conditions if necessary. As such, we will be convening the first meeting of the FBEU Industrial Action Committee shortly to develop options for industrial action and have it ready to go if required and to provide direct membership involvement in consideration of escalation of any campaign.
For those who have already expressed their interest to participate please note we will be in touch shortly.
In the meantime, if there are any further interested members, EOIs to participate will close at COB Friday 10 June. Please provide your EOI via email directly to Senior Industrial Officer Rini Krouskos atrkrouskos@fbeu.net.
CONTINUED PRESSURE FOR SUBSTANCE OVER OPTICS
With support of the FBEU office, delegates and HSR’s have this week continued to agitate around the lack of safe systems and conditions of work, particularly around the issues of diesel particulate matter, PPC storage, and mechanical ventilation in engine bays.
As a result of the previously mentioned PIN issued over failed consultation, FRNSW this week sat down with the FBEU, HSR and an ME1 crew for a mess room discussion about a way forward for this particular station. The station was off-line for the duration of the meeting. Representing FRNSW were various levels of local management, Properties, and Health & Safety. Discussions were productive and a follow-up has been planned for 4 weeks’ time.
This is a steep learning curve for FRNSW, who lag behind other states in addressing the very real and well-researched risks for workers in our industry.The elephant in the room, according to FRNSW, is that there is no money to offer members the same investment into safe conditions that firefighters interstate and international have relied upon for some time.
For many of us, we have heard this all before. And after decades of in-action, the FBEU assures members that we will be doing everything in our power to work with you, and to get FRNSW to the table.
With the State Governments budget season upon us, the last budget prior to the NSW 2023 State Election, the proof will be in the pudding. Your employer will either have listened and stood up for the safety of you and your crew by demanding funding. Or, they will have fallen short again.
One thing is for sure. Communities expect firefighters to be resourced and to be protected with safe working conditions.
FRNSW can’t take stations offline to workshop band-aid solutions forever.
