darinsullivan.blogspot.com: + Important message from FBEU to members +

TO all NSW FBEU members:

Please see this weeks SITREP regarding our resignation from the UFUA.
http://fbeu.net/2010/06/sitrep-no-222010/

The main content, from FBEU State Secretary Jim Casey, is as follows:

"UFUA – time to go

Members would be aware of the April Special General Meeting decision to cease financially supporting the United Firefighters Union of Australia (UFUA), NSW Branch. The Union’s officials have this week reviewed the situation and now recommend that all FBEU members should resign from the failed organisation that is the UFUA. Resignation forms can be obtained from your SCOM official, the Union Office, or downloaded off the website.

This week’s resolution reads as follows:

“That the:

State Secretary’s report on the failed mediation between the Union and the UFUA’s National Officers in attempted settlement of Federal Court proceedings brought against the Union’s officials by the UFUA in December 2009; and
the previous resolution of a Special General Meeting of members to cease the forwarding of any funds to the UFUA’s NSW Branch by 30 June 2010; and
the recent adoption of Rule amendments to excise any and all reference to the UFUA from the Union’s Rules; and
the UFUA’s turbulent history, paucity of achievement and disturbingly wayward direction, including its recent stripping of NSW Branch voting rights whilst seeking to increase Branch capitation fees by 150%;

be received and noted and that in consideration of same, and this meeting’s conclusion that the UFUA remains incapable of much-needed reform, this meeting:

declares the UFUA to be a failed, self-serving organisation that has achieved little if any practical benefit for Australia’s rank and file firefighters;
recommends that members who still hold membership of UFUA’s NSW Branch should resign their UFUA membership; and
resolves to continue to build effective links between the FBEU and other unions and organisations in the interests of firefighters and working people more broadly, both nationally and internationally.”

On that last point, it is intended that the money that the FBEU previously forwarded to the UFUA will be redirected towards assisting Australian firefighters. The State Committee is considering how best to do this, but one possibility is the employment of a National Research Officer to investigate and respond to issues in our industry. More to follow."

If you have not already done so at your station, would you mind printing out the forms at the station, and spending just a few minutes to help us out:

1. have the members sign the forms

2. fax the signed forms to the Union office

3. send the faxed originals to an FBEU rep via corro, or post to the Union office.

Your assistance, trust, and support is appreciated.

Regards,

DARIN SULLIVAN