Sue Bolton, Melbourne
On February 8, 1200 angry members of the United Firefighters Union (UFU) marched to Victoria's Parliament House steps to protest the stalling by the Metropolitan Fire and Emergency Services Board (MFB) on negotiations over a new enterprise bargaining agreement. They were especially angry that the MFB has refused to offer Victorian firefighters safe uniforms for fighting fires.
UFU members employed by the Country Fire Authority also joined the protest, as it appears that the CFA will take a similarly intransigent attitude to the MFB.
The depth of anger at the MFB's disregard for the safety of firefighters was reflected by the high turnout of firefighters at the rally. Two-thirds of firefighters available to attend turned up. Many came straight from night shift to the rally.
Officials from the ACT and Queensland branches of the UFU were present to offer their support to Victorian firefighters.
Firefighters from both the MFB and CFA are angry that the new uniforms being offered do not meet Australian safety standards.
UFU state secretary Peter Marshall told the firefighters that Victoria has "the worst equipment in Australia". He accused the fire services of hiding test results on the new uniforms, which are cheaper than the safer alternatives.
A Queensland fire safety officer, Mark Gribble, told the protest that every state except for South Australia could benefit from having better protective clothing. He agreed that Victoria had the most unsafe uniforms. He said that firefighters in other countries had much better protective clothing than in Australia.
"Why do we need a moisture barrier in our uniforms?", asked Gribble. "Because two of our colleagues died as a result of these uniforms. Victorian firefighter gear fails all international standards. We need uniforms with a moisture barrier."
UFU national executive officer Leigh Hubbard told the workers that the MFB runs at a surplus and could easily afford to provide safe uniforms. He told the rally that the MFB was stalling on the EBA to force the union to negotiate under the new Work Choices legislation when it comes in March.
Marshall said, "Those making decisions don't know what it's like to go into a fire and fight a fire, so how can they make decisions for us?" He added: "If [Labor Premier] Steve Bracks and his cabinet mates had to go into a burning building, they'd have the good uniform."
There are other significant issues that are worrying firefighters. The UFU wants a fail-safe digital radio service, the retention of wages and conditions and crew ratios and a decent career path. The CFA and MFB still have different radio systems.
Another issue is that the UFU believes the temporary fire station at the Commonwealth Games athletes' village won't have enough firefighters.
Unless the safety issue is resolved, thousands of firefighters are expected to march to parliament on March 8.
From 91×ÔÅÄÂÛ̳ Weekly, February 15, 2006.
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