News

Today the Union formally listed the dispute over the Regulations review in the NSW Industrial Relations Commission ( IRC ). A hearing has been set down for 1300 hours tomorrow (Thursday).

As expected, the relieving bans which were introduced at 1800 hours last night have resulted in considerable additional overtime being required. However, our Inspector members have struggled (and today were unable) to locate enough off-duty members – both officers and […]

Further to the notice issued last Wednesday the FBEU has since met formally with the Department in an effort to resolve the many concerns we have, principally over the review of the Regulations, but also over the approach the Department […]

Every 5 years, the Regulations to the Fire Brigades Act 1989 (and indeed all Acts) are reviewed. The current 1997 Regulations are therefore now set be replaced on 1 September by new 2002 Regulations. So what do the Regulations do?

Extra 1% for FSS members From 1 July 2002, all employers were forced to lift their minimum contribution towards their employees’ superannuation accounts, from 8% to 9% of salary.

D&D Update – Benefits to be optional? Negotiations are continuing as to final shape of the new death and disability arrangements, but we remain confident of an agreed settlement shortly.

D&D Update: Pensions for death/TPI on-duty On 24 June we reported on the disagreement which had developed between the Union and the Government over the lump sum benefits payable in the event of death or TPI on-duty (see Union website “D&D […]

Following below are the results of the Union’s triennial elections for Sub-Branch Committeepersons for the term 2002-2005, as declared by the Returning Officer on Thursday 30 May.

Two weeks later and this, comrades, is still the (multi) million dollar question. From our perspective, a clear answer was given by the Union members who attended our Special General Meetings which were held across the state between the 4th […]

Firefighters’ Health and Fitness Program Without doubt, the most controversial component of the proposed D&D settlement is the agreement for a compulsory health and fitness program for all firefighters. Several members have pointed out that the Union’s officials (and myself […]

If there is one thing that is by now abundantly clear to everyone, it’s that superannuation is an extremely complex issue. Of course public sector superannuation is no different.

First State Super members First State Super (aka “the new scheme”, or FSS) has operated since December 1992. Permanent firefighters who have joined the Brigades since that time, and all retained firefighters are in the FSS scheme, save for the […]