Earlier this week the FBEU’s Award Arbitration submissions were published here at Sitrep 60/2024. As previously stated, the submission brings together significant contributions from across the FBEU membership and provides for an important footing as we continue to pursue your Log of Claims.
The process of Arbitration will not be easy, with FRNSW and the Minns Government hellbent on blocking reform, denying fair wage increase, and winding back our previous gains. This includes attacking consultation arrangements which guarantee your say on FRNSW decisions which impact you and your safety.
The approach from FRNSW and the Government is dangerous, both for members and the NSW community, and the FBEU will continue to fight it.
Members can find further detail here in a joint Statement of Issues filed before the IRC. The document summarises the claims and respective positions from both parties.
I will endeavour to keep you informed as FRNSW provide their submissions to the IRC next week. In the meantime, please contact the office at office@fbeu.net if you have further questions about the process.
SCRUTINY INCREASES ON THE STATE RESCUE BOARD
The FBEU recently made this submission to the ‘A Framework for Performance Reporting and Driving Wellbeing Outcomes in NSW’ inquiry. The scope of the inquiry, said to align with the Minns Government commitment to rebuild essential services, is covered in greater detail here in Sitrep 40/2024.
In no uncertain terms, the FBEU has made clear to the inquiry that the duplication and misallocation of resources within the NSW Emergency Services Sector is leading to negative outcomes for the NSW community, particularly in the space of rescue.
As members know well, the State Rescue Board of NSW are a substantial part of this problem. The SRB are failing in the most basic forms of accountability demanded by the State Emergency and Rescue Management Act, including adequate record keeping around the unavailability of volunteer rescue units.
The FBEU have called upon the Minns Government to reform the Sector and address a dangerous over-reliance on waning volunteer agencies. And, from this recent SRB directive, it’s clear that some of that message is starting to get through.
Members are encouraged to continue to report rescue issues to the Union.
