WIMMERA firefighters have rallied with counterparts across the state as debate continues between the Country Fire Authority and the United Firefighters Union about a new enterprise bargaining agreement.
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The agreement includes clauses that give the union veto power over authority resources and staff.
The authority board announced on Monday it would not sign the proposed deal because the clauses were unlawful.
The agreement has created turmoil within the state government, with Victorian Emergency Services Minister Jane Garrett at odds with Premier Daniel Andrews.
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has also joined the debate, and vowed at a firefighters rally in Melbourne on Sunday to introduce new legislation to protect volunteers.
Firefighters rallied again in the city on Tuesday.
Stawell firefighter and Volunteer Fire Brigades Victoria board member Mick Nunweek said the board was not against the union, or it seeking a pay rise for its firefighters.
“We want them to get their entitlements and a pay rise, because they’re very deserving of that,” he said.
“But we don't want them to have veto power over any decision the Country Fire Authority chief officer makes, or veto power over any volunteer brigades.
“I'm confident Jane Garrett and our chief Lucinda Nolan will come up with a solution that is both a benefit to the United Firefighters Union and Country Fire Authority volunteers.”
Mr Nunweek said brigade members from districts 16 and 17 attended Sunday’s rally.
“It was not a political rally, it was just volunteers asking to be respected and listened to by the premier, because currently we're not,” he said.
Volunteer Fire Brigades Victoria state councillor Maurice Dumesny, who is based in Horsham, said there was concern across district 17.
“We have no qualms regarding union wage demands as such, but it would be a very sad situation if the government allowed the agreement to go through in its current state,” he said.
“Trying to introduce veto clauses relating to the chief officer’s powers has upset volunteers. The volunteers are grateful for the stance Jane Garrett has taken in supporting them.”
Mr Dumesny said there would be a district 17 meeting at Horsham Fire Station on Sunday where people could discuss their concerns.
