Strikes fire up over new enterprise agreement
GLADSTONE firefighters are hoping to sway the State Government's plans to remove their working conditions, one strike at a time.
Members of the United Firefighter Union Queensland at Gladstone's fire station took part in a three-hour administrative strike on Wednesday.
This comes ahead of another strike on Friday, which will have other stations across the state taking part.
"Jack Dempsey is more focused on his police portfolio than ours," UFU state secretary John Oliver said.
"We are striking to show the community we are upset about cost-cutting measures."
Queensland Fire and Rescue Service members are worried about changes made in the new enterprise bargaining agreement (EBA), which proposes a 2.7% pay increase at the compromise of certain working conditions.
Members are also calling for the return of school-based programs like the Road Action Prevention Program and the Fight Fire Fascination Program.
EBA negotiations are now set for arbitration, a representative for the Minister for Community Safety Jack Dempsey said.
"The management of the UFU has been using the negotiations for their own personal political gain rather than focusing on what their members want," the representative said.
Why the strikes?
- QFRS Gladstone claims working conditions have been compromised in an EBA.
- They say the government has offered a 2.7% pay increase over the next three years, at the expense of key conditions.
- Strikes yesterday and today.
