News

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 […]

Ongoing confusion amongst some permanent members as to whether it was necessary to recall a Station Officer in the first instance for all retained staff shortages has resulted in the State Committee’s adoption of a policy resolution to clarify the […]

The Howard Government announced sweeping changes to the taxation of superannuation in its May budget including the removal of tax on superannuation payouts once a person reaches 60 years of age.  What it hasn’t announced is that it is currently […]

This year’s May Day motto is the “struggle to repeal anti-working class laws”- a clumsy phrase that sounds like its been found in the pages of a dusty old textbook. Despite that, it’s a safe bet that for the 107 […]

The return of the lemma government at the recent state election came as no surprise to anyone as the policies of the major parties were revealed. The question now becomes what can we as firefighters expect from this government?

Negotiations have resulted in agreement being reached between the Union and Department for the insertion of two new sub-clauses into the Retained Award (6.6.1.3a and 6.8a) to cover members working at Sydney’s annual Royal Easter Show, including significant increases in […]

The next 4% pay rise for permanent members took effect on Friday 2 March and will appear in retained members’ pays this month. This is the final increase payable under the current award before it expires in March 2008, and […]

Bans on the use of 3M AFFF foam concentrate are now lifted on the strict proviso that the foam is used only on major ‘B’ class fires and only where no other method of extinguishment is available – until all […]

All members are instructed not to use 3M AFFF foam concentrate either carried on your appliance or in your station’s store. If you have any doubt about the type of foam you are being asked to use you and your […]