Yesterday the QLD Labor Government announced amendments to workers’ compensation law adding an extra 11 cancers to the list of presumed firefighter diseases. The improvement comes off the back of strong advocacy from our counterparts at the UFU QLD. UFUQ members are now covered for a total of 23 occupational cancers. QLD and NSW officials have been discussing the developments in this space for a number of years and as recently as a month ago.
The Minns Government’s inaction on presumptive legislation to date will feature in upcoming Budget Estimates inquiries. This month FBEU officials have met with a broad range of crossbench members to ensure we will be heard on this important issue, but as late as today discussions with Government look promising. More to follow.
ELECTION TO BE HELD FOR VACANT SYDNEY NORTH SUB-BRANCH SECRETARY POSITION
Following the FBEU general elections in May, the position of Sydney North Sub-Branch Secretary remained vacant as no nominations were received from any member.
As a result, we have requested that the NSW Electoral Commission conduct an election to seek to fill this vacancy. Nominations for the position will formally be called for from next Friday 30 August and will close at 5pm on Friday 20 September. If a vote is necessary, this will be held between 4 October (ballots will begin to be posted on this date) and will close at 5pm on 30 October.
A reminder, all members (eligible to vote in accordance with the FBEU rules) are entitled to vote in this election regardless of what sub-branch you belong to, however, nominations may only be received by members of the Sydney North Sub-Branch.
I strongly encourage members from the Sydney North Sub-Branch to nominate and ensure your Sub-branch does not go unrepresented during the period of this State Committee. Questions regarding the election can be directed either through the FBEU office or directly to myself. Further information regarding the election, along with the formal notices, will be sent out next Friday.
REISSUING OF SITREP 41/2012 – FILING OF QUALIFICATION SHORTAGES
Some of our longer serving members may recall that in 2012 we issued a SitRep regarding the filing of qualification shortages. This SitRep clearly stipulated that only those members in receipt of the qualification allowance (i.e. attached to a station entitling them to payment of the allowance) can be used to fill a qualification shortage at that station.
At our State Committee meeting yesterday, SCOM resolved to re-issue that SitRep, a copy of which can be found on our website here.
This position was taken by the FBEU to ensure that FRNSW could require people who are not entitled to allowance (by virtue of not being attached to the station) to fill shortages. It also supports our overall position in this Award round that specialist qualifications allowances should no longer be reserved for those attached to a station with the equipment but should be paid to all members who hold the qualification in recognition of the value and skill in that qualification.
Questions regarding this can be directed to your SCOM rep or through the office.
