Metropolitan Fire Brigade leaders stalled on battle over new EBA

SENIOR government figures have hauled Metropolitan Fire Brigade bosses into meetings on the eve of Christmas in a bid to get a controversial workplace agreement for firefighters ticked off.

The MFB said its board is still considering the ‘content’ of the proposal. Picture: Eugene Hyland

SENIOR government figures have hauled Metropolitan Fire Brigade bosses into meetings on the eve of Christmas in a bid to get a controversial workplace agreement for firefighters ticked off.

MFB BOARD MEETS TO CONSIDER LATEST UFU OFFER

MFB AGREEMENT WITH UFU BELIEVED TO BE IMMINENT

NEW LEADERSHIP STRUCTURE FOR MFB AS RESPONSE DATA GOES ONLINE

The Sunday Herald Sun understands the threat of industrial action has also been floated if the firefighting authority refuses to sign the deal.

It is not clear what action could be taken but United Firefighters Union members were involved in rolling stoppages at the start of 2017 as part of the long-running dispute.

Emergency Services Minister James Merlino. Picture: Kylie Else

They also refused to participate in disciplinary procedures or report false alarms that call-out fees are charged for.

The Sunday Herald Sun understands MFB leaders were called into a meeting with a top Department of Premier and Cabinet bureaucrat yesterday morning, following a board meeting on Friday afternoon.

That bureaucrat was instrumental in brokering a contentious EBA deal between the union and the Country Fire Authority last year.

It is believed the union had hoped the MFB deal would be rubber-stamped on Friday but is now pushing to have it done by Christmas Day.

It follows a fortnight of heavy political pressure, emanating from within the UFU and the Department of Premier and Cabinet. Sources have said the government was keen to see the deal done before the end of the month to avoid the issue becoming a hot topic during the 2018 election year.

The MFB said its board is still considering the ‘content’ of the proposal. Picture: Eugene Hyland

Emergency Services Minister James Merlino said a potentially dangerous summer had increased the need to finalise the EBA.

“Heading into what could be a dangerous fire season and given the enormous contribution firefighters make to keeping our community safe, the need is even more pressing to support them with the security of a workplace agreement,” he said.

“Ultimately, this is a matter the board is working through and has been for some time.”

The UFU confirmed in a bulletin to members last week that it had reached an agreement on pay rises and allowances.

But it is believed the union remains at loggerheads with the MFB over control of operational matters, including veto powers on management decisions.

The MFB said in a statement that its board was still considering the “content” of the proposal.

It also said the brigade had not been advised that the UFU was planning industrial action.

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