MFB agreement with United Firefighters Union believed to be imminent

A NEW workplace agreement for Melbourne’s firefighters is believed to be imminent as significant political pressure is placed on the board of the Metropolitan Fire Brigade.

A new workplace agreement for Melbourne’s firefighters is believed to be imminent. Generic picture

A NEW workplace agreement for Melbourne’s firefighters is believed to be imminent as significant political pressure is placed on the board of the Metropolitan Fire Brigade.

The Herald Sun understands the MFB has faced a significant push to sign a new enterprise bargaining agreement with the United Firefighters Union over the past fortnight.

VICTORIA’S SUPREME COURT DISMISSES UFU BID TO KEEP LANDMARK REPORT SECRET

MELBOURNE BUILDING OPERATORS TURNING FIRE ALARMS OFF TO SAVE ON COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH FALSE ALARMS

The pressure has ramped us this week and it is believed a new pay and conditions deal could be signed as soon as today.

It is understood the UFU was pushing to have the deal done by Christmas, after the state government failed to pass new legislation to restructure Victoria’s fire services. The overhaul remains on the cards as the government tries to secure support for the Bill in the Legislative Council.

A fire services source said the new MFB deal was “worse than the CFA deal” which became an explosive political issue last year.

MFB chiefs have previously raised concerns about the UFU seeking what would be veto powers over management decisions, saying the existing deal had forced continual legal battles over workplace issues.

A fire services source says the new MFB deal is “worse than the CFA deal”, which became an explosive political issue last year. Generic picture

The MFB chief executive, chief fire officer and several board members have departed in recent months, amid pressure from the government to sign a new EBA as well as issues dealing with the militant UFU.

Firefighters have already been awarded a series of pay rises consistent with a draft agreement which has remained unsigned for more than a year.

The MFB and the Andrews Government could not confirm whether the deal had been signed last night.

UFU secretary Peter Marshall did not return calls from the Herald Sun.

[e-mail]