darinsullivan.blogspot.com: Firefighter music video - tell Barry O'Farrell "we're coming"

The Barry O’Farrell NSW Liberal Government has recently introduced laws that will allow the Government to control and reduce the workplace rights and conditions of all public sector workers in NSW.

All local Liberal Members of Parliament voted with Barry O’Farrell to pass these laws. The 4 crossbenchers also turned their backs on us, and voted for the legislation.

The laws mean the Government will only allow wages and conditions for public sector employees to be increased by 2.5%. The cost of living has increased by 3.3% in the past year.

The ALP had a similar policy, which we opposed, but this policy goes further.
If public sector employees want a wage increase that keeps pace with inflation, we will have to trade-off hard-won conditions of employment.

This means most of our conditions of employment are up for grabs, including:
• annual leave loading;
• defined benefit superannuation;
• carer’s leave;
• sick leave
• overtime;
• allowances,
• workers comp.

O'Farrell also made sure that:
- There can be no wage increases back-dated after stalled negotiations.
- The savings must be PROVEN to have been achieved BEFORE any wage rise above 2.5% is
actually paid. This is even if management has delayed implementing the savings.
- If extra savings are delivered, the wage rise agreed won’t be increased.

But that's just the start; the laws also stripped the Industrial Relations Commission of its independence in deciding wages and conditions. The Industrial Relations Commission must now comply with ANY Regulation made by the Government.

Previously, if we had a dispute about wages with our employer (the Govt), we could go to the Industrial Relations Commission. The IRC would hear both sides of the story, and then make an independent determination. We weren't always happy with the outcome, but it was independent, it was a court. NOT ANY MORE. Barry O'Farrell has changed the laws so that the Government can over-ride the court’s decision. The separation of powers between our court system and our government have now started to erode. Barry O'Farrell did NOT tell anyone he would do this prior to the election. He has NO mandate for this. He has betrayed us.

And finally, the only avenue my Union, and all the other public sector Unions, may have now, under Barry O’Farrell’s policy, is to look at selling off jobs, or to close fire stations to keep wages in line with inflation. This means less firefighters at car accidents and structure fires. It may mean less firefighters at terrorism and disaster incidents. That means a more dangerous workplace for firefighters, and it means less community safety for you and your family.
Firefighters oppose the O’Farrell laws, we oppose his attack on our rights, and we commit to making sure this government is a one term government.

DARIN SULLIVAN
President
FIRE BRIGADE EMPLOYEES' UNION
1-7 Belmore St | Surry Hills | NSW 2010
p. 02 9218 3444 | f. 02 9218 3488 | m. 0422436044