- TOLing off line for another week – update
- 514 Banora Point “here to stay”
- 16 Hour Maximum – it’s the law – update
TOLing off line for another week – update
SITREP 30/2012 reported that the Union had notified the Industrial Relations Commission of a dispute over the Department’s intention to commence temporarily taking permanent stations off line (TOLing). Last week’s hearing before the IRC’s Justice Backman resulted in the deferral of the introduction of TOLing for a week. A further hearing before Justice Backman yesterday led to agreement for a further deferral for another week, with the Union and Department to continue discussions between now and our return to the IRC again next Thursday, 16 August.
Meanwhile, and on the other side of the world, it was reported this week that a last-minute court order has forced the Yonkers (New York) Mayor to shelve a plan to take fire appliances off the street to cut overtime costs. Management had planned to remove up to two appliances from service for the day if insufficient firefighters showed up for work – a measure opposed by the union, which also rejected management’s claims of overtime blowouts caused by firefighter sick leave. The parallels continued when a Supreme Court Justice issued a temporary restraining order blocking the move at the union’s request.
514 Banora Point “here to stay”
We note with considerable satisfaction this week’s Commissioner’s Corner item on the opening of the refurbished Banora Point Fire Station – and particularly Commissioner Mullins’ confirmation that Banora Point Fire Station “is here to stay”.
It wasn’t so long ago that the Department was insisting that 514 Tweed River (now Banora Point) was no longer required and would therefore be closed, with its members to be “returned” to 468 Tweed Heads. Thankfully the FBEU’s officials and members took a different view back in 2001 and successfully argued to keep the station open and independent of 468 Tweed Heads. We don’t expect the FBEU received any credit for that at this week’s official opening, but not having received an invitation, we wouldn’t know.
16 Hour Maximum – it’s the law – update
As members were reminded in SITREP 23/2012, the Permanent Award’s subclause 8.11 prevents members from to working beyond 16 hours except in the case of “… an incident or other emergency circumstances”. Only a week later, the Union was alerted to a breach of subclause 8.11 after a decision to send a spare firefighter from Sydney to Newcastle in early morning peak hour traffic predictably backfired after the firefighter staying was forced and work beyond 1000 (and therefore 16 straight) hours.
Heavy traffic and the desire of local management to avoid a four hour minimum recall does not constitute an “emergency circumstance” – a fact openly acknowledged by Commissioner who today wrote to advise that “action has been taken in order that all staff in the Zone in which the incident occurred are fully aware that the conditions in the Award are not arbitrary and must be complied with”. We could seek to prosecute for this Award breach, but in view of the Commissioner’s unambiguous response, won’t. This time.
Jim Casey
State Secretary
Friday, August 10, 2012
NSW firefighter update @FBEU via SITREP | #NSWpol #AusMedia #FBEU #Ausunions
Friday, July 20, 2012
Fire station cuts 'big risk to community' - Via: Illawarra Mercury | #FRNSW @FBEU #NSWpol #Ausunions
http://www.illawarramercury.com.au/news/local/news/general/fire-station-cuts-...
Fire station cuts 'big risk to community'
MATTHEW JONES
20 Jul, 2012 12:00 AM
Dapto and Warrawong fire stations could face temporary closures within days, the Fire Brigades union said.
The warning came as the State Government moves to slash sick leave and overtime budgets.
The two stations are likely to be caught up in $70 million worth of cost-cutting, with Fire and Rescue NSW targeting sick leave and overtime costs.
Fire Brigade Employees Union state president and Dapto fire station chief Darin Sullivan said the cuts would mean an existing system, under which off-duty firefighters are called in to cover sick colleagues, would be scrapped in the short-term in favour of shutting stations temporarily.
"If Dapto or Warrawong fire station was offline, then that's obviously a reduced fire coverage and a risk to the community in those areas," he said.
Even if the union could ensure the two stations stayed open, it was likely a water tanker in Wollongong would be taken offline during staff shortages.
The tanker was only introduced a few months ago.
"It's also a reduced resource for the entire Illawarra - those appliances don't just serve the local community of those areas, they respond to all large fires and incidents in the Illawarra," he said.
Mr Sullivan said firefighters were unlikely to find out the full impact of the changes to sick leave coverage until after they were implemented.
"I don't think we'll find out until they start taking [stations and appliances] offline," he said.
In a letter to the fire brigades union, Fire and Rescue NSW Commissioner Greg Mullins said there was a need to rein in "very high levels" of sick leave and review overtime.
Firefighters were also previously facing cutbacks to the NSW WorkCover compensation scheme, including loss of payouts for injuries suffered while travelling to and from work. But the State Government exempted them from those cutbacks after a day of industrial action in June.
Mr Sullivan said there were no immediate plans for more industrial action.
Saturday, July 7, 2012
Who Voted Liberal? NSW firefighter update @FBEU via: SITREP | #FBEU #AusUnions #NSWpol
July 6, 2012
Who voted Liberal? Update on NSW Budget cuts
Financial relief for members who went on strike on 21 June 2012
Tax time – reminder to claim your Union dues
- Meal and travel allowance increased from 1 July 2012
Who voted Liberal?
Update on NSW Budget cuts
As reported in SITREP 24/12, the O’Farrell Government’s June Budget imposed across-the-board cuts which, in the case of FRNSW, will require employee-related expenses to be slashed by $7.6M in 2012/13, and by a cumulative $64M over the coming four years.
It is no secret that management is now canvassing all sorts of unprecedented cost-cutting measures, including taking permanent stations off-line in order to reduce overtime expenditure. The rumour mill has gone into overdrive about what sort of changes and cuts the Union has already agreed to. The truth is that the Union and Department remain in discussions and nothing (I repeat, nothing) has been agreed.
The Union does not accept the loss of any fire cover (however temporary), but also recognises that less overtime is a better option than forced job losses. And make no mistake, with budget cuts of this scale and O’Farrell’s confirmation that we are not “frontline workers”, this is what is now at risk. More to follow.
Financial relief for members who went on strike on 21 June 2012
The State Committee has approved the use of the Union’s Award Fighting Fund to provide financial relief for the hundreds of FBEU members who engaged in the Union’s successful strike against the O’Farrell Government’s workers compensation laws on 21 June 2012.
Members who took strike action on 21 June 2012 and who:
a) make application for relief by no later than 1 October 2012 on the approved form (which can be downloaded here); and
b) provide evidence that their wages were docked in the form of the relevant pay advice;
will be reimbursed from the Union’s Fighting Fund at the rate of $29 for each hour, or part thereof (to the nearest fifteen minutes) that they were docked.
Tax time – reminder to claim your Union dues
With the end of the financial year, members are reminded (and certainly advised) to claim your Union dues as a work-related tax deduction for the 2011/12 year. This amount should appear on your PAYG Payment Summary (ie, Group Certificate) issued by FRNSW.
Meal and travel allowance increased from 1 July 2012
Certain allowances in both the Permanent and Retained Awards increased on 1 July 2012. The accommodation, meal and incidental allowances have been determined at a level consistent with the reasonable allowance amounts for the 2012/13 financial year as determined by the Australian Tax Office (ATO) and the Sydney CPI increase for the March quarter. The updated meal and travel allowances can be downloaded here. While the Department is not expected to pay these new rates until they have been published in Commissioner’s Orders, members are advised to claim the new rates immediately.
Jim Casey
State Secretary
Friday, June 22, 2012
OUCH! Multiple choice @BarryOFarrell from yesterday's #Firestrike | #FBEU + #AUSUNIONS = #Win
AAP
NSW Premier Barry O'Farrell has conceded that the reformed WorkCover scheme is messy because the amended version excludes firefighters and paramedics.
The state government's changes to workers' compensation passed through the upper house of parliament shortly after 2am (AEST) on Friday, following the first general strike by firefighters since 1956.
The coalition used its numbers in the lower house less than an hour later to rubber-stamp the amendments made in the Legislative Council.
Advertisement: Story continues belowBut Mr O'Farrell is disappointed that conservative crossbench MPs in the upper house voted for a Greens amendment to have firefighters and paramedics exempted from having their benefits and medical expenses capped.
"That's a mess that's been created by an amendment passed by the Greens, Labor, Christian Democrats and Shooters last night," he told ABC Television on Friday.
"The question now is the Labor Party, the Greens, the Shooters, the Christian Democrats having exempted paramedics and firefighters, what do they say to nurses?"
The government had initially proposed to have only police excluded as part of a plan to trim WorkCover's $4.1 billion deficit.
The amendments in the upper house emerged after about 800 firefighters in Sydney, Newcastle and the Central Coast walked off the job in protest on Thursday.
Unions claimed victory on Friday for firefighters, saying they would not have won exemptions if they hadn't taken the extreme action of staging their first general strike in 56 years.
"Their strike really sharpened the focus of the parliamentarians, and that's why the exemption was achieved," Unions NSW secretary Mark Lennon told reporters in Sydney.
"(It was) one of the most remarkable protests outside Parliament House in my time as a union official."
Fire Brigade Employees' Union secretary Jim Casey said the action was "tragic" but effective.
"It's quite clear that the action we took played a significant role," he said, adding that the union would continue opposing the WorkCover reforms.
Opposition Leader John Robertson welcomed the exemptions but said all workers should have been treated the same.
"Nurses, retail workers, construction workers (and) truck drivers ... all deserve the same protections if they're injured at work," Mr Robertson told reporters in Sydney.
"There are dangerous jobs and what Barry O'Farrell has done is set up two standards of workers."
Greens MP David Shoebridge said the firefighters' strike should act as an inspiration to other workers who should also have been exempted.
"Well, the record's in - if you stand up to this government, if you stand up united, you can get your victories," Mr Shoebridge said.
The upper house also agreed to an amendment from Christian Democrats MP Fred Nile for workers to be covered for journey claims.
Mr O'Farrell said that under the South Australian model agreed to by the government following negotiations with crossbench MPs, work-related injuries suffered during travel to or from work would be covered.
"A priest ... on a road at night who comes across an accident scene who's delivering the last rites, who's then hit by a truck that goes past would be covered," he told ABC television.
This is what happens when you take on:
a) Something you know nothing about
b) Workers instead of insurance companies
c) Firefighters who fight as a team for a living
d) Inconsistent policy
e) all of the above
Your answer?
Footage of Striking firefighters hosing down NSW Parliament yesterday @FBEU #Firestrike | #FBEU #AUSUNIONS #Workcover #NSWpol
NSW firefighters held their first all-out strike in 56 years on June 21, 2012 to protest attacks on workers compensation rights by the O'Farrell Liberal-National state government. Firefighters sealed off Macquarie Street, Sydney, and hosed down Parliament House. We won a partial victory in the form of an exemption of firefighters from the new laws severly restricting workers claims for workplace injuries. However, the fight continues for other workers in NSW.
How ABC PM reported the NSW #Firestrike last night | #FBEU #AUSUNIONS #Workcover #NSWpol
How ABC PM reported the NSW Fire Strike last night:
NSW Firefighters strike over workers compensation cuts
Updated June 21, 2012 20:24:00
Firefighters in NSW have gone on a one-day strike over cuts to the state's workers' compensation scheme which would see many payouts halved for workplace injuries. Firefighters doused NSW Parliament House with a high-pressure water cannon and blocked Macquarie Street in the Sydney CBD.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-06-21/nsw-firefighters-strike-over-workers-co...
Fire fighters and paramedics exempted from workers compensation changes « Australian Emergency Law #Firestrike | #AUSUNIONS #Workcover
Fire fighters and paramedics exempted from workers compensation changes
In Ambulance, Fire, Legislation and plans, OHS, Rescue, Volunteer compensation on June 22, 2012 at 4:02 pmThe NSW Government has introduced significant changes to the workers compensation scheme in NSW. It is beyond the scope of this blog to identify all those changes, I’m sure there are ‘workers compensation’ blogs that will be able to give us all the details.
What is of note here is that the original bill, the Workers Compensation Legislation Amendment Bill 2012 said:
25 Police officers,
The benefits amendments do not apply to or in respect of an injury received by a police officer (before or after the commencement of this clause), and the Workers Compensation Acts (and the regulations under those Acts) apply to and in respect of such an injury as if those amendments had not been enacted.
The Bill amends the ‘Workers Compensation Act 1987 and other Acts with respect to the reform of the NSW workers compensation scheme.’ The effect of Schedule 12, Clause 25 (above) is to create two workers compensations schemes in NSW. One for police, who get all the benefits on the Workers Compensation Act 1987 as it was on 21 June 2012; and one for everyone else.
Following protests and strike action by firefighters employed by NSW Fire and Rescue, last minute changes were made as the Act went through the Parliament. The Bill as passed now says:
25 Police officers, paramedics and firefighters
The amendments made by the 2012 amending Act do not apply to or in respect of an injury received by a police officer, paramedic or firefighter (before or after the commencement of this clause), and the Workers Compensation Acts (and the regulations under those Acts) apply to and in respect of such an injury as if those amendments had not been enacted.
That’s all well and good if we’re happy for there to be a two tiered workers compensation scheme in NSW but it has its own problems; ‘paramedic’ and ‘firefighter’ are not defined. As has been noted elsewhere on this blog, paramedics are not registered health professionals so it’s not at all clear who is a paramedic. One day a court is going to have to decide that issue given this law. A person who has a degree in paramedic and works as an industrial health care officer could well be a paramedic, as could someone without that degree? And why should they get the old scheme when a nurse, also working in an industrial health care setting will not? What about a trainee ambulance officer? What about firefighters? Again that phrase is not defined so a person who works as a firefighter but not for NSW Fire and Rescue is surely a firefighter. What if they do those tasks as only part of their job?
There are two objections here. One is that we have a two tiered scheme in the first place. According to the ABC:
Shadow treasurer Michael Daley says the legislation goes to far.
“We now have the most harsh workplace injury laws in all of Australia,” Mr Daley said.
“They are drastic. They will hurt ordinary people.”
Rather than have the ‘most harsh workplace injury laws in all of Australia’ except for police, paramedics and firefighters, it would be better not to have the ‘most harsh workplace injury laws in all of Australia’; for anyone. If the changes are needed there is little in principle reason why any class of employees should be exempt. Either these changes are needed, or they are not.
The other objection is that exemptions like these are pushed through, quickly and without being properly considered. There is no doubt that anyone who thinks they are a paramedic, but who is not at the time of their injury, working for NSW Ambulance may well have to go to the Supreme Court to see what ‘paramedic’ means, the same for fire fighters.
Michael Eburn
22 June 2012
VIA: http://emergencylaw.wordpress.com/2012/06/22/fire-fighters-and-paramedics-exe...
NSW Fire CODE RED: FBEU wins w/comp exemption | @FBEU #Firestrike | #FBEU #AUSUNIONS #Workcover #NSWpol
June 22, 2012Parliament votes to protect FRNSW firefighters from O’Farrell’s workers comp laws
A Greens amendment to exempt FRNSW firefighters and ASNSW paramedics from the O’Farrell Government’s appalling workers comp “reforms” was passed early this morning.
This week’s Sitrep, which will be faxed to all stations and posted to our website later today, will explain more fully but the news in brief is that the FBEU has successfully defended our members’ workers compensation arrangements.
Congratulations to all members, and particularly to the hundreds of members who stopped work yesterday. Make no mistake, the media attention that your action generated fueled the political pressure that followed. Every firefighter who, from this day on, suffers a workplace injury (a regrettably inevitable fact of life in our profession) is now in your debt.
Jim Casey
State Secretary
PHOTOS: #Firestrike firefighters hose down state parliament yesterday | #FBEU #AUSUNIONS #Workcover #NSWpol
Great slideshow photos from yesterday's NSW Firestrike.
Washing away the foul stench of hypocrisy emanating from NSW parliament @FBRU #FIRESTRIKE yesterday | #FBEU #AUSUNIONS #Workcover #NSWpol
Check out the number of trucks lined up.
As the water flowed, I announced to the 1000 firefighers, "we are washing away the foul stench of hypocrisy emanating from this parliament"
More incorrect reporting from #Firestrike Yesterday | #FBEU #AUSUNIONS #Workcover #NSWpol
The statements by FRNSW and some media are incorrect - FRNSW firefighters did attend, even though they were on strike. 14 mins.
Separate to that, what part of 'strike' don;t they get. This is what happens when you upset emergency services.
Media from yesterday's #Firestrike and misreporting of fire | #FBEU #AUSUNIONS #Workcover #NSWpol
NSW Fire and Rescue absent as house burns
When this Ramsgate house was ablaze this afternoon, Fire and Rescue were on strike so the Aviation Rescue and Rural Fire Service were force...
thetelegraph.com.au21 June 2012
Share: NSW Fire and Rescue absent as house burns
- Man's house burns as firefighters strike
- Airport firefighters, volunteers respond to blaze
- NSW firefighters protest in Sydney CBD
A MAN says he is disgusted that his Sydney house burned while firefighters were striking over changes to the workers compensation scheme.
Kym Loutfy's wife and grandson were rescued from the burning house by a passerby today, while firefighters were turning their hoses on NSW Parliament House during a protest.
Firefighters in Sydney, Newcastle and the Central Coast went on strike for five hours at 1pm (AEST) in protest at reforms to workers compensation they say treat them poorly compared to exempt colleagues in the Rural Fire Service (RFS) and police force.
Firefighters are demanding they also be protected from the WorkCover changes, which cap benefits and medical expenses, with hundreds marching on state parliament in their first major strike in NSW since 1956.
"If the fire brigade weren't on strike they could come more quicker and there would be less cost and less damage," Mr Loutfy said utside his Sans Souci house, which had been extensively damaged in the fire.
"We have nothing to do with the strike ... Anyone can go on strike but there's supposed to be a back-up for emergency."I'm very very disgusted."
Radio caller Andrew said he was driving along Campbell St in Sans Souci just after 1pm (AEST) when he noticed flames coming from the front window of the house.
He said firefighters arrived half an hour after he dialled triple 0.
"We went into the house downstairs to check that no one was there. We got a lady and her baby out of there," he said.
NSW Fire and Rescue said in a statement that crews arrived at the scene within seven minutes of receiving a call from police.
It said local crews on their way to the protest responded to the call and carried out search and rescue operations.
However they went on to join the protest after the arrival of the Airports Rescue and Firefighting Service.Ben Shepherd from the NSW Rural Fire Service said the local RFS sent two trucks and air support as well as firefighters in breathing apparatus.
"With that initial house fire there was probably a longer response time from our trucks," he told Fairfax radio network.
New South Wales firefighters have now returned to work after considering extending their strike.
Fire Brigade Employees Union president Darrin Sullivan said union executives met a short time ago to discuss continuing the strike, but it was decided to go back to work.
Our guys were there, false media reporting.
Media from yesterday's #Firestrike | #FBEU #AUSUNIONS #Workcover #NSWpol
ExpandPhoto / File.
Rural volunteer firefighters moved into Sydney, Newcastle and Wollongong yesterday as their professional colleagues walked out for the first time in 56 years to protest against laws paring back injury payments.
Changes to the New South Wales WorkCover scheme exempt the volunteers and police but dramatically reduce compensation for professional firefighters and paramedics.
Fire stations closed at 1pm local time yesterday as thousands joined the strike and refused to answer emergency calls, leaving fires to the volunteers and other state emergency services.
One man told AAP he was disgusted his Sydney house burned while firefighters were striking.
Kym Loutfy's wife and grandson were rescued from the burning house by a passerby.
"If the fire brigade weren't on strike they could come more quicker and there would be less cost and less damage," Loutfy told AAP outside his Sans Souci house, which had been extensively damaged in the fire.
"We have nothing to do with the strike ... Anyone can go on strike but there's supposed to be a back-up for emergency.
"I'm very, very disgusted."
Radio caller Andrew said he had noticed flames coming from the front window of the Sans Souci house and called emergency services.
He said firefighters arrived half an hour later.
"We went into the house downstairs to check that no one was there. We got a lady and her baby out of there," he said.
NSW Fire and Rescue said crews arrived at the scene within seven minutes of receiving a call from police.
It said local crews on their way to the protest responded to the call and carried out search and rescue operations.
However they went on to join the protest after the arrival of the Airports Rescue and Firefighting Service.
Ben Shepherd from the NSW Rural Fire Service said the local RFS sent two trucks and air support as well as firefighters in breathing apparatus.
"With that initial house fire there was probably a longer response time from our trucks," he told Fairfax radio network.
As firefighters protested outside Parliament, the state's Upper House continued a marathon debate over the Workcover changes.
The changes were introduced as a means of hauling back the scheme's huge A$4 billion ($4.8 billion) deficit.
The move would cap compensation and begin reducing payments after 13 weeks, instead of continuing at 100 per cent for 26 weeks.
While the Government vowed to push the changes through, the Greens introduced an amendment exempting firefighters and paramedics.
Striking firefighters were expected to return to work and continue negotiations last night.
But Fire Brigade Employees Union secretary Jim Casey said they would not back down from their fight.
"Firefighters risk their lives for the people of NSW." he said.
"This is a fundamental right and we are not prepared to go backwards on it."
Casey said professional firefighters faced the same level of danger as police and volunteers and should also be exempt.
"It's a disgrace and it makes no sense," he said.
Police said they were confident the Government could resolve the issue.
By Greg Ansley | Email Greg
- Additional reporting AAP
The strike was successful - we won.
Media from #Firestrike yesterday | Nile won't seek firefighters exemption | yesterday | #FBEU #AUSUNIONS #Workcover #NSWpol
AAP
NSW cross-bencher Fred Nile won't support firefighters' calls to be exempt from the state government's overhaul of workers compensation, with the Christian Democrat MP saying they would benefit from the changes.
About 800 firefighters in Sydney, Newcastle and the Central Coast walked off the job at 1pm (AEST) on Thursday to protest the government's overhaul of WorkCover, calling to be exempt like colleagues in the Rural Fire Service and police force.
The government has been locked in negotiations with cross-bench MPs over amendments to better protect firefighters and others, and hopes to pass the legislation through the upper house on Thursday.
Advertisement: Story continues belowReverend Nile, who supports the WorkCover reforms aimed at reining in a deficit of more than $4 billion, said he had planned a proposal to exempt firefighters and other emergency workers.
However, in a blow to the firefighters, hundreds of whom marched on parliament on Thursday, he "found this would in fact reduce the benefits that those individuals in those areas would be getting under this legislation".
"After a full examination of the proposal I was putting up on behalf of particularly the fire and rescue employees, it's clear that they would not have access to suitable benefits of the legislation if they were exempted," Mr Nile said.
"There are circumstances where firefighters would be better off as a result of changes to benefits and other features of the new scheme."
Without pressure from Mr Nile, the Finance Minister Greg Pearce announced the government would not exempt firefighters and paramedics.
"After a full examination of the proposal it is clear they would not have access to considerable benefits of the legislation if they were exempted," Mr Pearce told the upper house.
But Mr Pearce said the government would back Mr Nile's other amendments, including a journey to work system similar to South Australia's.
The government had wanted to abolish claims for injuries sustained travelling to and from work, except for police.
However, Mr Pearce said the coalition would support Mr Nile's changes that allowed claims "where there is a real and substantial connection between the worker's employment and the accident or incident causing the injury".
Fire & Rescue NSW (FRNSW) has welcomed an IRC ruling that will prevent any further industrial action by firefighters for the next three months.
The IRC ruling on Thursday afternoon "will ensure minimum staffing levels are maintained" at communication centres, specialist areas and fire trucks, a FRNSW spokesperson said in a statement.
"This prevents the FBEU and firefighters from taking further industrial or stop work action in any of these vital areas.
"It applies for the next three months."
The FBEU has agreed to abide by the IRC ruling.
Media from yesterday - Firefighters won, amendments were passed to include firefighters. the strike was successful.
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
Monday, November 21, 2011
@BarryOfarrell Change to police numbers prompts fear of crime rise in #NSWisconsin
THE O'Farrell government has been accused of cutting police numbers to achieve budget savings following its decision to abandon the former government's policy of keeping police numbers above the official number funded by Treasury each year.
The former government kept actual police numbers above the official level authorised by Treasury as a buffer against fluctuations in numbers through the year as a result of attrition and police graduations from the Goulburn academy.
The shadow treasurer, Michael Daley, the former police minister, has accused the O'Farrell government of cutting police numbers to save money.
Advertisement: Story continues below
''For the last eight years under Labor, we funded extra police positions to make sure police numbers stayed over strength and at record highs,'' Mr Daley said.
''Barry O'Farrell has flagged he will be saving money by cutting police numbers.''
The opposition police spokesman, Nathan Rees, said a fall in police numbers would result in a rise in crime.
''Inevitably it means when police are sick or on leave or seconded, there are not as many police on the street as there should be,'' he said.
The Police Minister, Mike Gallacher, told a budget estimates committee of Parliament last month that ''the boom-bust days and the false economies of Labor are over''. He said police would be brought on line every four months to coincide with police graduations until ''a record 16,356 officers'' were employed by June next year.
The NSW Police Association secretary, Peter Remfrey, said police numbers routinely fell between police recruitment periods, and the former government's policy ensured actual numbers never fell below the authorised benchmark number.
''This new government is going back to the days when, between graduation classes, police numbers fell significantly below strength,'' he said. ''That will impact on front-line services.''
Mr Remfrey said an extra 1500 officers were needed to bring numbers up to the same level as most other states and to keep up with expected population growth in NSW of 1.3 per cent each year.
''The decision to allow numbers to fall below authorised strength will make the problem more acute,'' he said. ''The net effect of lower numbers will be higher crime rates and delays in response times.''
The Greens MP David Shoebridge said the government's decision to stagger graduation from the academy ''makes sense''.
''It will give a smoother flow of graduates into the police and keep numbers more stable during the year,'' he said.
Mr Gallacher said the budget included $214.4 million in funding over four years to recruit an additional 550 police.
"This will take the authorised strength of the police force to a record 16,356 officers by June 2014,'' he said.
Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/change-to-police-numbers-prompts-fear-of-crime-rise...
Sunday, November 13, 2011
NSW Firefighter's Union Weekly SITREP @FBEU #Ausunions
Inside this issue:
O’Farrell attacks Police D&D – firefighters next?
S/O Level 2 promotions update
Retained summit
Anti-Union faxes and flyers on stations
Electricity SOGs Training Audit banned
O’Farrell attacks Police D&D – firefighters next?
The O’Farrell government this week introduced legislation to the Parliament that will, if passed:
(a) terminate the existing industrial award-based scheme for death and disability payments to police officers injured at work or off-duty, and
(b) replace that scheme with entitlements to death and disability payments in accordance with an approved insurance policy, and
(c) amend the Industrial Relations Act 1996 to remove the jurisdiction of the Industrial Relations Commission to make or vary industrial instruments that provide for death and disability payments in respect of police officers.
This has clear ramifications for the FBEU. If the O’Farrell government can unilaterally bust open and change an Award dealing with Police conditions then there is no reason to expect them not to do the same to other public sector workers.
I met with the President of the Police Association this week to discuss what action they intend to take, and what support we may offer them. Their Executive is meeting today to plan their campaign. More to follow.
S/O Level 2 Promotions Update
SITREP 41/2011 reported that members had been incorrectly advised by the Department that they were not eligible for promotion to S/O Level 2 as had been agreed between the Union and the Department. Correspondence this week from management indicated that the initial advice was based upon a misunderstanding, and that members will be promoted on the dates set out in SITREP 41/2011 – including backpay for any delayed promotions. The dates for relevant classes are:
Class 24 and prior – all members promoted to S/O Level 2 two years after completion of SOPP
Class 25 – all members promoted to S/O Level 2 on 2 October 2011
Class 26 – all members promoted to S/O Level 2 on 18 December 2011
Class 27 – all members promoted to S/O Level 2 on 28 May 2012
Class 28 and onwards – each member promoted to S/O Level 1 upon occurrence of a vacancy, but in any event prior to completion of the following SOPP class, with each member to be promoted to S/O Level 2 two years after promotion to S/O Level 1.
Retained Summit
On Monday 14 November we will see over 80 retained firefighters from around the state attend the Department’s retained summit with the stated aim of improving the retained system.
The Union will participate in the forum and expects it to generate constructive ideas and suggestions regarding the future of the retained system. I look forward to meeting those retained members who will be attending.
Anti-Union faxes and flyers on Stations
Members have been contacting the Union Office asking about the recent spate of anti-Union leaflets that has been arriving on stations. Some of this material has been mailed to individuals, while others have been faxed to workplaces.
What they have in common (apart from being the work of one disgruntled ex-union official) is that they are full of outright lies, plainly defamatory, and have no place in our Union. Worst of all, they give aid and comfort to the employer. I recommend that they be binned upon arrival.
If members want clarification as to what is happening call your local State Committee representative. If you disagree with some aspect of the Union’s work then all members are encouraged to use the many spaces available inside the FBEU for debate, including Sub-Branch meetings, General Meetings, and the Member’s Forum on the Union’s website. The Forum in particular offers a space for open debate, but does not allow gutless anonymous attacks, and it gives all members the opportunity to have a say.
Electricity SOGs Training Audit banned
Commissioner’s Orders 2011/23 saw the release of six new electrical hazard SOGs. Station Commanders were asked to complete an “Electricity SOGs Training Audit” that confirms that training drills have been conducted on each of the new SOGs.
While the Union accepts that operational and safety issues need to be addressed in a timely fashion, the SOGs were released without any training, lesson plans or support offered to stations. Furthermore, there was no corresponding update to the Station Training Programme. The creation of the “training audit” is nothing more than management arse covering.
The completion of the Electricity SOGs Training Audit is banned until further notice. Station Commanders are asked to complete station training on the new SOGs as best they can, given the lack of training support provided by the Department.
Thursday, November 10, 2011
NSW Liberal election controversy @barryofarrell
THE NSW Liberals have been referred to electoral authorities and police after Labor claimed they breached electoral laws by "underclaiming" staff costs during this year's election campaign.
With caps imposed on how much parties can spend on a state campaign, the Liberals this week only declared $8300 in staff costs compared to Labor's admission of spending $961,381.08 on staff; the Nationals' $424,137 and the Greens' $438,767. The Liberals have denied any wrongdoing.
Labor has alleged the Liberals underestimated the staff cost in order to claim they did not breach their election spending cap under political donations laws, passed last year. The alleged underspend emerged when electoral returns were released on Monday.
Knowingly making a false disclosure carries a penalty of up to a year in jail.
Under the cap, the Liberals were only allowed to spend $100,000 per lower house seat they ran for (which was 73 seats, or a cap of $7.3 million) from January 1 to March 26. The Liberals, even with allegedly failing to properly declare staff, have admitted spending $8.1 million on the year in question but can claim some of the spending occurred before January 1.
Last night, Election Funding Authority director Brian DeCelis confirmed some parts of the act were a grey area, saying "the disclosure may well look to go over the cap for election expenditure" but it may not have.
A letter from Labor's general secretary Sam Dastyari to Electoral Commissioner Colin Barry and Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione says an investigation is warranted.
Mr Dastyari also claimed the Liberals won Oatley, East Hills and Swansea by less than 1000 votes which Labor could have won except for the overspend.
Liberals state director Mark Neeham claimed yesterday that he was acting on verbal advice from the Electoral Commission when he did not declare permanent Liberal head office staff on the declaration.
He said he had declared all permanent staff costs on the party's separate administration return and only put temporary staff on the campaign staff costs of the election return.
He said he could not speak for why the other parties had done differently and said he was "absolutely" confident that the party had not breached the cap.