Victorian Firies Put Pressure on Andrews Government Over Pay Before Poll
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TAGGETY, AUSTRALIA – FEBRUARY 8: In this handout image supplied by Stephen Henderson of the County Fire Authority, Firefighters of the CFA Strike Teams (Milawa CFA Tanker) rest after fighting to save the township of Taggety from bush fires on February 8, 2009 in Taggety, near Marysville, in Victoria, Australia. Victoria Police have revised the bushfire disaster death toll to 181, the worst in Australia’s history. (Photo by Stephen Henderson/CFA via Getty Images)
Victoria’s firefighter’s union is turning up the heat on the Andrews Labor government to deliver a new pay deal ahead of the November state election.
The United Firefighters Union launched a new enterprise bargaining campaign on Thursday, demanding real wage increases amid cost of living pressures.
“At a time when professional firefighters’ roles are becoming increasingly complex, our firefighters don’t deserve a pay cut,” UFU Victorian Branch Secretary Peter Marshall said.
“Our wage claims are underpinned by academic research which takes into account rising inflation and the cost of living now and over the next three years.
“This will ensure that firefighters don’t go backwards in real terms.”
Annual inflation was running at 6.1 per cent to June, although the UFU has not specifically stated what percentage pay rise it is seeking.
Professional firefighters will also be calling on the Victorian government to provide additional funding to replace outdated fire trucks, for specialist equipment and to increase training capacity as part of their claim.
“Firefighter safety and public safety go hand in hand. The new enterprise agreement will achieve both,” Marshall said.
“Right now, we have 15 outdated trucks that are still being used for emergency response and need to be replaced. But the Andrews government rejected a request in late 2021 from Fire Rescue Victoria for 20 new rescue pumper trucks.”
Other outcomes on the UFU’s agenda include a mechanism to attract diverse staff applicants, increasing the number of cultural and community engagement officers from five to eight, and more support for firefighters to transition into retirement.
The union was a key ally when the Andrews government came to power in 2014, but the relationship has since soured following disputes over the restructuring of state fire services and presumptive cancer rights.
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