MFS, CFS chiefs joint bid for pay rises of more than $100,000 each

Their workers are battling for better trucks and stations but the heads of SA’s two fire brigades say their own pay packets need upgrades too.

The chiefs of South Australia’s two firefighting agencies are seeking pay rises of more than $100,000 each from the state government.

In an unusual move, Country Fire Service chief officer Mark Jones and Metropolitan Fire Service chief officer Michael Morgan have made a joint submission seeking huge salary increases.

The pair made the request to Public Sector Employment Commissioner Erma Ranieri late last month – but it is unlikely to be considered until after the state election in March.

The move is likely to outrage the state’s firefighters, who have been offered a 1.5 per cent annual pay increase in their latest enterprise agreement and are conducting a public awareness campaign to highlight the chronic under-resourcing of MFS operations.

United Firefighters Union secretary Max Adlam said members would be concerned if Mr Morgan’s request was treated differently to frontline firefighters.

United Firefighters Union secretary Max Adlam. Picture: Russell Millard

“Of course where people are paid high salaries they will always go seeking more and he is entitled to negotiate a pay rise but the members would have a very clear view about this,’’ Ms Adlam said.

“We would have a concern about that. Are people who run into burning buildings who are being offered 1.5 per cent being treated the same?

“It will be a test for the government of the day after the election, whether they will do a special deal with a chief officer in comparison to what the government is currently offering firefighters who are the ones who get dirty and take all the risks in terms of going into the fire.

“That would be something our members would be deeply interested in, in particular to 50-odd who have just been put off on to leave without pay because of the vaccination direction.’’

Ms Ranieri on Thursday confirmed her office had “received the request for a joint pay review from the officers involved’’.

“As Commissioner for Public Sector Employment, I do not have the authority to determine chief executives’ remuneration but I am sometimes asked by ministers to provide advice on what may be appropriate. On this matter, I have not received such a request,’’ Ms Ranieri said.

She said her office had informed Emergency Services Minister Vincent Tarzia of the request but “I have not shared a copy or its content’’.

“If the minister did seek further guidance from me, I would base my advice on an independent assessment, which considers the unique nature of these roles and benchmarks them against similar positions,’’ she said.

“A review of this kind can attract a significant cost, so who is responsible for the funding must be determined before an assessment can proceed.

“As the government is scheduled to enter its caretaker period soon, it would also prevent any decision on an executive pay review until the outcome of the state election is finalised.”

While the precise salaries of the pair is not listed in the respective annual reports of each agency, the range of the highest paid executive is.

The 2020-21 MFS annual report shows the highest paid individual received between $314,001 and $334,000.

The 2020-21 CFS annual report shows there were two executives in the highest pay band who received between $274,001 and $294,000.

CFS Chief Officer Mark Jones. Picture: Naomi Jellicoe

Mr Morgan declined to respond to a series of questions from The Advertiser, stating: “Please direct your questions to the Office of the Commissioner for Public Sector Employment.’’

While Mr Jones also declined to respond to questions from The Advertiser, in the 2020-21 CFS annual report foreword he was highly critical of the lack of funding for the agency.

“The SACFS has, for some time, been restrained through budget measures to create a modern fleet with appropriate safety systems, suitable properties from which to operate and the very best safety equipment for our crews,’’ Mr Jones stated.

“This is not sustainable in the future and we look forward to working with our partner agencies in the emergency services sector and the government to achieve better budget outcomes, allowing for an effective service to improve and develop, becoming ever more professional in both our equipment and the way we deliver services into the future.’

MFS Chief Officer Michael Morgan. Picture: Dean Martin

CFS volunteers Association president David Lindner said Mr Jones’ pay rise request “was not a good look’’ and thousands of CFS volunteers were unlikely to understand why he had requested such a large increase.

“It will not be understood by the volunteers as to why it is being requested,’’ he said.

“One of the problems we do have in SA is the pay rates. The pay rates of staff in SA are not the same as other statesand sometimes we cannot attract people here to do the job.

“There needs to be a review of the pay rates for all CFS staff, not just the chief officer.

“This may well be the catalyst for a full review. Hopefully the government will realise we need a review in order to get the best people.

“This does not look good, but how else can it happen.’’

Mr Lindner said there had been a lack of capital investment in fire stations and buildings across the CFS brigades statewide that made it difficult to attract volunteers, particularly women.

“There are brigades that don’t even have a single toilet, let alone separate toilets for men and women,’’ he said.

“Some don’t have connected water, so when the rainwater runs out there is no flushing toilet at all.’’