Fire commissioner’s car covered in protest flyers following no confidence vote

Fire Rescue Victoria Commissioner Gavin Freeman’s visit to a Melbourne training facility turned into an embarrassing confrontation when staff staged a silent protest and plastered his hire car with flyers.

Embattled Fire Rescue Victoria Commissioner Gavin Freeman faced an awkward visit to a training facility in Craigieburn on Tuesday. Picture: Supplied

Embattled Fire Rescue Victoria Commissioner Gavin Freeman faced an awkward visit to a training facility in Craigieburn on Tuesday when he was greeted by a silent protest and found his hire car covered in no confidence flyers.

The commissioner’s visit came just a week after a ballot by frontline emergency services workers resulted in a landslide 91 per cent vote of no confidence against him and his team, Acting Deputy Secretary Tony Matthews and Acting Executive Director Tom McPherson.

The vote reflected a growing rift between firefighters and their leaders over a new wage deal and claims of inadequate equipment.

FRV Commissioner Graham Freeman visited Craigieburn FRV training centre which was plastered in posters calling for him to stand down. Picture: Supplied

Emergency services worker and United Firefighters Union delegate Nina Jurcic said it was a planned act to again demonstrate to Mr Freeman that he needs to step down.

“The people who keep Victorians safe every day are outraged that he remains in a position 90 per cent of the organisation thinks he is unable to perform,” she said.

“The people who do the work haven’t had a pay rise in five years – during a cost of living crisis – but the Commissioner and the other two staff members who have lost the confidence of the organisation have topped up their substantial salaries like clockwork.

“We have had years of broken promises and empty words followed by no action. This is how we show we will not accept the ongoing mistreatment of workers or the inaction of executives that continue to fail their workforce.”

The commissioner’s car was covered in reminders of the vote. Picture: Supplied

Upon his arrival at the facility, Mr Freeman was greeted by Fire Rescue Victoria staff holding placards reading “90.85% voted no confidence” and “no wage increase in five years”. A fire truck was also parked on site covered in similar messages.

Victoria Fire Union boss Peter Marshall said Tuesday’s demonstration was one of strength and courage and asked the government to step in if Mr Freeman refused to fall on his own sword.

“Tuesday’s silent protest was a show of courage,” he said. “FRV employees deserve leaders that they can rely upon and that they have trust and confidence in.

“The protest sent the message that it’s time for Commissioner Freeman, Tony Matthews and Tom McPherson to step down so that emergency services workers, and Victorians, can have leaders who are on their side.

“If they do not, we urge the Premier and government to act upon the recent vote of no confidence, just as they did with our ambulance and police colleagues.”

Originally published as Fire commissioner’s car covered in protest flyers following no confidence vote