MFS to drop vax mandate after union lobbying

After weeks of lobbying by the firefighters’ union, the MFS chief is seeking to have the compulsory vaccination requirements for his staff lifted.

A mandate banning all unvaccinated firefighters from working is set to end in just over a week.

The mandate, which was introduced in February, has resulted in up to 70 MFS staff being banned from the workplace because they have not been fully vaccinated against Covid-19.

After weeks of intense lobbying by the United Firefighters Union, the Metropolitan Fire Service is advising all staff the mandate is likely to be rescinded on May 23.

In a memo being circulated to staff, chief officer Michael Morgan says he will ask state co-ordinator Grant Stevens to rescind the ban – but staff who are not fully vaccinated will be subject to “additional control measures’’.

Those measures are likely to be the same as applicable to police officers, with restrictions on attending some locations and wearing masks.

Police Commissioner Grant Stevens. Picture Emma Brasier.

“Based on the changing situation and changes in state government Covid-19 restrictions, the MFS along with the United Firefighters Union consulted with Professor Adrian Esterman to discuss solutions to return unvaccinated MFS workers to the perform duties,’’ the memo states.

“Prof Esterman is a leading epidemiologist from the University of South Australia.

“This advice has determined that we can now begin safely and effectively returning unvaccinated MFS workers to the workplace.”

UFU secretary Max Adlam said lifting the restrictions was overdue and they should have been lifted at the same time they were for police officers.

“Less than 5 per cent of our work is involved in these settings, such as where we have interactions in aged care for example,’’ she said.

United Firefighters Union secretary Max Adlam. Image Russell Millard

MFS chief officer Michael Morgan. Picture: Dean Martin

“I have been a trade union official for 45 years and not once have I seen it go this far.

“I think this is a step too far. A lot of our members want protection, but we have had epidemiologists say they do not know why the MFS mandate was brought in.’’

Ms Adlam said dozens of unvaccinated staff were distressed when the MFS sent letters threatening disciplinary action in February.

“We have had multiple complaints from people who received the letter,’’ she said.

“There were people who received this letter who had complied, there were people who were on long-term sick leave.’’

Ms Adlam said many individuals did not respond to the instruction because they were concerned about the security of their medical information.

Mr Morgan said the letters were sent because the MFS needed “an accurate picture of the vaccination status’’ of personnel to ensure it could continue to meet its legislated functions.

Mr Morgan said a clerical error led to about 48 personnel who were on sick leave receiving letters about the vaccine mandate.

“Those affected were directly contacted with an apology,’’ he said.