The FBEU office reopened this week from its Christmas/New Year shutdown. We are going through all enquiries and thank members for their patience whilst we catch up.
2018 was a strong year for the FBEU finished off with campaigning and winning Firefighter Cancer legislation. 2019 brings a new challenge with the NSW State election in March. Stay tuned for updates and commentary on what we are doing to place the firefighting industry front and centre as an election issue. For too long Government have ignored the “Frontline” service that we are, and the next few months are key to change that. I also ask that if you are a member of a political party, I would love to hear from you.
We need to apply pressure to all political parties to ensure that we get the best for our families, our communities and ourselves.
Vale Reg Brown
I regret to report that former FBEU official and Life Member, Comrade Reg Brown passed away on 3 January.
Reg, who joined the NSWFB and FBEU in October 1951, served as the Union’s delegate to Labor Council (now Unions NSW), the ACTU and to the Union’s State Council (now State Committee). Following his retirement, a General Meeting of members in August 1983 voted to award Reg the Union’s highest honour of Life Membership.
Comrade Brown’s funeral will be held at Palmdale Hillside Chapel, 57 Palmdale Road Palmdale on Monday 14 January at 10.30am.
Sadly, Comrade Luke Hyde also passed away late last year. His funeral will be held at Palmdale Hillside Chapel, 57 Palmdale Road Palmdale on Tuesday 15 January at 11.30am.
In brief …
I intend visiting as many stations as I can this year, so let your delegate know if your station wants to be on my itinerary. Retained Sub-Branch Secretary Comrade Phil Gardner will be holding forums at Regional South stations in early February (click here for details).
The Union is scheduled to meet the Department regarding the IRC’s recall kilometres Orders on amounts and timing of backpay next Tuesday. More to follow.
There’s been a slight delay for some 2019 FBEU Membership cards being posted. This has now been rectified, and all members should receive their cards in the next week or so. If you don’t receive yours then please contact the Union office to check (and if necessary, update) your membership details.
Leighton Drury
State Secretary
For a printable copy of this SitRep, please click here.
