News

Extended proceedings before the Industrial Relations Commission today resulted in an interim agreement being reached between the Union and Department. For its part, the Union has agreed to lift the bans which were imposed last evening. In return, the Department […]

Despite repeated requests over the last five weeks, and direct discussions with Commissioner Mullins as late as today, the Department has again refused to answer fundamental questions which go the heart of command and control in the NSWFB and our […]

Members might be surprised this week to receive a second Group Certificate from the Department. Rest assured the Department is not proposing to pay you double the wages you earnt last financial year, but rather to fix up the latest […]

Last week the Industrial Relations Commission handed down it’s sentence for the Department’s breach of section 15 (1) and 16(1) of the Occupational Health and Safety Act 1983. The Department was sentenced two fines of $100,000 each and has been […]

As first reported in the Union’s notice dated 19 May 2007, a campaign by public sector unions, including the FBEU, has won the right for SSS members to salary sacrifice their compulsory and/or voluntary contributions. This win will mean all […]

In accordance with Rule 11, a Special General Meeting of members will be held on Tuesday 31 July 2007, commencing at 1000 hours at the Trades Hall Auditorium, Goulburn Street, Sydney. Sub-Branch meeting details will be circulated separately next week.

With the lifting of the ban on False Alarm Notifications (FANs), members are reminded that ONLY the new FANs books (labelled version E on the cover) are to be used. Old versions are not to be used, and the Dept […]

The State Labor Treasurer and former Secretary of Unions NSW, Michael Costa yesterday handed down a budget that delivers a $444 million surplus this year and will cut $845 million in taxes by 2011.  The budget also nominates a public […]

A secret Howard Government plan to remove the current state based Industrial Relations Commissions from each of the States has been revealed in Federal Parliament. The plan was spelt out in a tender document issued by the Department of Employment […]

It has come to the Union’s attention that MW2 management is now expecting some stations to deliver their own time sheets via a system move ups using station appliances. This practice has been neither discussed with, nor accepted by the Union […]

Over recent years, many members have expressed their concern to us about the Brigades’ changing approach – and growing addiction – to AFA charges. The Department’s increasingly inflexible approach saw a growing number of elderly, poor and disadvantaged being hit […]

Last month the Union wrote to the Department seeking action to further enhance our members safety whilst working on roadways. The issue was raised by members in the Illawarra Sub Branch concerned with the excessive speed of motorists in and […]