Volunteer Firefighter Brigades Victoria confident in legal action against new workplace agreement

On Friday night the new Country Fire Authority board signed off on an Enterprise Bargaining Agreement that had been fought over for years.

The agreement was originally subject to a drawn-out dispute between the previous Coalition government and the United Firefighters Union.

After Labor’s victory in 2014, the fight has shifted between the authority and volunteer firefighters on one side and the union and state government on the other.

Volunteers believe the new agreement will give the union veto powers over equipment purchases and staff decisions, and that the terms of the agreement discriminate against women and people with a disability.

Volunteer Firefighter Brigades Victoria Horsham District 17 state councillor Maurice Dumesny said he was disappointed to hear that the authority had agreed to the deal.

“I’m disappointed that the deal has been signed off by the authority’s board without any of the volunteers’ changes or concerns being adopted.

“It seems the new Chief Officer is bound to the government.”

Minister for Emergency Services James Merlino said the agreement contained a number of safeguards to protect the role of volunteer firefighters and enhance diversity in the workforce.

“We recognise the vital role volunteers play and that is why we are building a better authority with new trucks, facilities, equipment, and training for volunteer authority brigades,” Mr Merlino said.

Volunteer firefighters have started legal action against the agreement.

The previous authority board and Minister for Emergency Services Jane Garrett were both sacked earlier this year for refusing to endorse the deal.

Volunteer brigades Stawell board member Mick Nunweek said his organisation would fight for volunteers and the safety of all Victorians.

“The volunteer board and myself are disgusted by the decision,” he said.

“None of the suggested changes or concerns by volunteer firefighters have been included, and that is because the government and the union couldn’t agree on them.

“In making this decision, the authority board has turned its back on and betrayed 60,000 volunteer firefighters. Worse than that, it has placed at risk the fire safety of the Victorian community.”

Mr Nunweek said he believed that under the agreement, it would be more difficult for the authority to respond quickly and efficiently to fire incidents.

“Volunteer firefighters will go to the Supreme Court to defend the authority as an effective, volunteer-run firefighting organisation free from government or union interference,” he said. 

“The Emergency Services Minister James Merlino has told a blatant lie about our legal action.

“Any funds we use for legal costs will be from corporate, and if necessary from donations; there will not be any taxpayers’ money used.

“Volunteer firefighter Brigades is the last board that cannot be sacked, that cannot be pressured to resign. We will not roll over for the government.”

Federal Minister for Employment Michaelia Cash has offered to support the firefighter’s cause in the Fair Work Commission.

“It is the government’s very strong view that the agreement, as approved by the board, fails to address the very serious concerns raised by volunteer firefighters,” Ms Cash stated in a letter to the volunteer brigades organisation.

Mr Nunweek said volunteer firefighters had received advice from a Queen’s Council that the organisation had a strong landmark case.

“There will be no backwards step, no silencing of us because we are fighting for every brigade, volunteer and Victorian to be heard,” Mr Nunweek said.

“As currently, they are not.”