WE SUPPORT THE CFA AND MINISTER JANE GARRETT
– Mr Premier don’t sell-out to Peter Marshall
CFA volunteers will hold a motorcade of fire vehicles through the streets of Melbourne on Saturday 23rd April, 2016, to demonstrate their support for the CFA and Emergency Services Minister Jane Garrett. Fire vehicles from all corners of the state will converge on the city between 12 noon and 12.30pm.
The Minister and CFA have been sidelined by the Premier, Daniel Andrews, who is reported to have done a secret personal
deal with Firefighters’ union secretary, Peter Marshall which would see the Union gain significant control over CFA operations as well as achieve massive pay and allowance increases.
“The CFA and the Minister were negotiating with the union in good faith for a reasonable financial settlement for paid firefighters but would not agree to surrender proper management and operational functions or to marginalise volunteers as the Union demanded”, Volunteer Fire Brigades
Victoria CEO Andrew Ford said today.
“It has become clear to volunteers that in recent days the Premier went behind the Minister’s back and reached a deal with Peter Marshall which gives the union virtually all it wants,” He said.
“And that includes marginalising experienced and qualified volunteer firefighters who are committed to volunteer community service and flooding the organisation with unneeded extra paid staff to replace thousands of urban
volunteers without increasing public safety.
“The cost implications of the Premier’s sell-out are huge, with the fire service levy on households and business expected to significantly grow year on year for years into the future as more and more volunteers are replaced by paid employees under the union’s system.
“The name “The Marshall Plan” will have a totally new meaning.
“Where’s the money coming from? Out of our
pockets of course!
“It’s ironic that after capping municipal rates and charges the government’s fire service levy, which municipal councils’ are required to send out on their rates notices, will grow like topsy.
“The public safety implications are particularly troubling. If you undermine, deactivate and progressively push out volunteers, who will provide Victoria with a surge capacity to respond to major fires and
emergencies?
“And if you are substantially reliant on paid staff be prepared to pay overtime, penalty rates, extra shift allowances, meal allowances, accommodation costs and allowances as well as the wages that will be required to have sufficient paid staff available.
“And remember they are going up by 19% under the Andrews-Marshall industrial deal.
“Daniel Andrews either hasn’t thought this through or just doesn’t
care.
“Jane Garrett has demonstrated that she has thought this through, understands the issues and details and repeatedly demonstrated she does care.
“The CFA Board and its leadership, including CEO Lucinda Nolan and Chief Fire Officer Joe Buffone know what’s at stake in respect of cost and operational capacity to keep Victorian’s safe.
“That’s why volunteers are mobilising to support Minister Jane Garrett and the CFA and
its leadership.”
For all inquiries ring the VFBV office on 9802 0501.
