News

2009 Station Officers’ Promotional Program Recently the Union has received a number of complaints that the Department has been informing members who ask that the 2009 Station Officer Promotion Program has been delayed because of ongoing discussions with the Union […]

The recent tragic death of firefighter David Balfour whilst fighting the Victorian bushfires has deeply touched firefighters across the country. David’s death is believed to be the first death on duty of a member of the ACT Fire Brigades. His […]

The catastrophic Victorian bushfire disaster was driven home to all in the most tragic way last night when senior firefighter (qualified) David Balfour from the Gilmour brigade in the ACT was killed on the fireground.

Despite the Union first winning this matter in the Industrial Relations Commission in June 2007 and then again on appeal and again on a second appeal some five and a half months ago, the Department still does not agree on […]

In today’s hearing in the Industrial Relations Commission, the Union and Department reached agreement that there will be no deductions from members’ leave records for any errors that occurred prior to 1 January 2003. Members who have been advised that […]

It seems with every new year there is a renewed attempt to change the currently agreed arrangement for fire ground risk assessments. This latest trial from the Health and Safety Branch (H&SB) not only reintroduces the issue of recording risk […]

The concept of gassing workers is not one normally associated with good industrial relations and in fact went out of fashion shortly after the First World War when thousands of troops returned from the trenches of Europe. Lungs, throats and […]

Fire ground Health and Fitness testing This week the Department stood down two members following health checks conducted on the fireground. Whilst in the past ambulance officers have provided members with advice about taking rest breaks during incidents, never has […]

The Union has today written to the Department setting out its position regarding the current Leave Audit, which the Department claims has resulted in permanent firefighters being credited with an additional 39,129 hours of leave and debited 46,421 hours from […]

Following proceedings before the Industrial Relations Commission this week, the Union and Department have now agreed upon the following guidelines for the use of relievers within Metropolitan Zones. The parties have also agreed that relievers may be directed to relieve […]

The previous 2005 Award’s subclause 12.4 provided that members could not be directed to relieve or perform outduties between or into the Sydney, Newcastle, Gosford, Wyong or Wollongong Fire Districts. However, it also allowed for any member to be directed […]

All members are reminded of the fact that the Union’s 98th Annual General Meeting (AGM) will be held at 10 am Wednesday 17th December 2008 at the Trades Hall Sydney. The Union will be holding sub branch meetings in Newcastle […]