As most members would by now be aware the NSW Government has been getting lobbied heavily by the Health Services Union over the decision to replace 8 ambulance rescue units with 9 NSWFB rescue units. The decision to hand over rescue to the fire brigades has been a long time coming and is fully supported by both the FBEU and the Department.
The Union has now held four meetings with ‘Unions NSW’ since the decision was made to hand over these rescue units to firefighters. At every one of these meetings it has strenuously argued that firefighters should be carrying out rescue work and ambulance personnel should be carrying out medical work. The Union has pointed out that while every professional fire brigade in the state is required to carry rescue equipment to cut through bars on windows and doors – fire fighters are now being required to attend to medical emergencies because the ambulance service cannot get sufficient ambulances on the road.
The FBEU has been absolutely clear that the people of NSW should not suffer because the government wants to do favours for its ALP factional mates while people’s lives are at risk. The FBEU has struggled to maintain a disciplined and dignified line on the machinations occurring in the Parliament. Hoping that common sense would prevail and that this government would put the interests of the community over and above grubby political deals.
The dispute over this issue is due for hearing in the NSW Industrial Relations Commission tomorrow Friday November 28th. The Union is now very concerned that despite having the case put very clearly to it on no less than four occasions the government may in fact capitulate to factional lobbying and roll back the decision. The FBEU has written to the judge scheduled to hear the matter and laid out the Union’s position (details available on web site).
The Union is now very concerned that this matter may have very, very serious consequences for the ongoing working relationship between emergency services workers and asks all members to please maintain a calm and measured response what ever the out come tomorrow.
For further details contact your State Committee of Management representative.
Simon Flynn
State Secretary
As most members would by now be aware the NSW Government has been getting lobbied heavily by the Health Services Union over the decision to replace 8 ambulance rescue units with 9 NSWFB rescue units. The decision to hand over rescue to the fire brigades has been a long time coming and is fully supported by both the FBEU and the Department.
The Union has now held four meetings with ‘Unions NSW’ since the decision was made to hand over these rescue units to firefighters. At every one of these meetings it has strenuously argued that firefighters should be carrying out rescue work and ambulance personnel should be carrying out medical work. The Union has pointed out that while every professional fire brigade in the state is required to carry rescue equipment to cut through bars on windows and doors – fire fighters are now being required to attend to medical emergencies because the ambulance service cannot get sufficient ambulances on the road.
The FBEU has been absolutely clear that the people of NSW should not suffer because the government wants to do favours for its ALP factional mates while people’s lives are at risk. The FBEU has struggled to maintain a disciplined and dignified line on the machinations occurring in the Parliament. Hoping that common sense would prevail and that this government would put the interests of the community over and above grubby political deals.
The dispute over this issue is due for hearing in the NSW Industrial Relations Commission tomorrow Friday November 28th. The Union is now very concerned that despite having the case put very clearly to it on no less than four occasions the government may in fact capitulate to factional lobbying and roll back the decision. The FBEU has written to the judge scheduled to hear the matter and laid out the Union’s position (details available on web site).
The Union is now very concerned that this matter may have very, very serious consequences for the ongoing working relationship between emergency services workers and asks all members to please maintain a calm and measured response what ever the out come tomorrow.
For further details contact your State Committee of Management representative.
