Victorian firefighters who took part in a rally against the state government while on duty will have their pay cut after protesters accused them of misusing public resources and blocking access to hospitals.
The rift between the Labor government, Fire and Rescue Victoria (FRV) and the United Firefighters Union (UFU) has deepened in recent months over new pay deals and claims of inadequate equipment.
On Wednesday, the UFU held a rally in Melbourne's CBD to vent anger over low pay, poor conditions and dangerous old equipment.
The FRV and UFU are locked in a difficult negotiation hearing before the Fair Work Commission after the parties failed to reach an agreement. The government had offered a 12% pay increase and bonus over four years.
Victoria Fire and Rescue Service slams 'incredibly disappointing' protests
Firefighters assembled in FRV uniforms and used some vehicles, prompting FRV Commissioner Gavin Freeman to write a memo to all staff condemning the use of FRV equipment.
“Blocking up Melbourne's streets and public transport routes to major hospitals with appliances funded by Victorian taxpayers is an abuse of public resources,” he said in a memo obtained by the ABC. Ta.
FRV said the industrial action was not protected and, as a result, it was legally required to withhold pay for employees who participated while on duty. The agency said those workers would be given at least four hours' worth of pay.
“It was clear in our communications that those who wished to attend but would otherwise work would need approval for leave,” Freeman wrote.
Gavin Freeman expressed concern that members were wearing FRV uniforms at the rally. (ABC News)
He also slammed members who attended in FRV uniforms after staff were explicitly instructed not to wear FRV uniforms.
In a letter to the UFU Secretary-General, Mr Freeman said he was concerned about the UFU's actions.
“FRV is not responsible for why the UFU actively induces FRV personnel who are UFU members to violate their contractual obligations to FRV, and in some cases to commit statutory violations, or to be used for unauthorized purposes. “I am perplexed as to whether the device should be tolerated,” he wrote.
He also said writing messages on fire engines or posting protest material was not protected industrial action.
UFU hits back by calling leaders government's “puppets”
In response to the memo, the UFU issued its own bulletin, stating that “members should be reassured that any attempt to attack this type of attack by senior management will clearly fail.”
“It is clear beyond a shadow of a doubt that Freeman and his executives are nothing more than puppets of the government. They will not succeed either,” the paper said.
As part of the industrial action, the UFU is using a fire truck as a mobile billboard to get its message across to Victorians. This is a similar tactic employed by police and emergency personnel.
The UFU has used fire truck messaging as a protest tactic. (Included)
UFU secretary Peter Marshall said the FRV was trying to suppress dissent rather than work to improve wages and working conditions.
Mr Marshall said: “Victoria Fire and Rescue Service's senior leadership has warned that the people who keep Victoria safe gathered in public and that the FRV leadership's systematic disregard for emergency workers, disregard for public safety and pay suppression has been “He went to extraordinary lengths to prevent him from disclosing his concerns.” .
“They sent a series of baseless legal threats to try to stop Victorians from knowing the truth from firefighters: that half the fleet is old and unsafe; that paramedics are underpaid; They haven't had a pay raise in four years, they have a terminal illness, they're being thrown out of the job by senior management without a second thought.”
Emergencies Minister Jaclyn Sims said while she supported unions' right to lawful protest, she was “deeply concerned” by unprotected behavior.
“The UFU claims community safety is its priority, but they are taking trucks away from the front line, blocking traffic in the city, blocking access to hospitals and putting Victoria at risk.” said Ms Symes.
He said the state has invested hundreds of millions of dollars in FRVs, including this year's budget, including more than $15 million in five new FRV pump platforms.
