Union movement says bullying of Jane Garrett must stop

The union movement has added to the chorus of condemnation of what it says is United Firefighters Union bullying of Labor MP Jane Garrett.

The union movement has added to the chorus of condemnation of what it says is United Firefighters Union bullying of Labor MP Jane Garrett.

The executive of Victorian Trades Hall Council says bullying is unacceptable, an affront to union values and personal targeting of Jane Garrett must stop.

The motion passed unanimously by the union bosses leaves the UFU leadership increasingly isolated, after Premier Daniel Andrews issued a stern rebuke demanding they leave her alone.

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Following three years of UFU harassment of Ms Garrett it was the union demanding voters put Ms Garrett last in her Upper House seat which prompted Mr Andrews to “call out” the behaviour yesterday as “bullying” and “wrong.”

Trades Hall secretary Luke Hilakari said the UFU was now engaged in a personal vendetta against Ms Garrett.

He said each union was paid to fight to get the best deal for its members but once negotiations were over hostilities should end.

“We go as hard as we can for our members in an EBA negotiation,” Mr Hilakari said.

“But once that is done we stop and that has not been the case here.

“It has been the personal targetting of Jane Garrett.”

The United Firefighters Union suspended its Trades Hall membership within the last three months.

UFU boss Peter Marshall yesterday backed down from his call to put Ms Garrett last in the Upper House Eastern Victoria region election, but vowed to continue a public campaign against Ms Garrett.

The UFU is affiliated with the Labor Party.

LABOR STITCHES UP GENEROUS DEAL DESPITE DAN’S UFU REBUKE

Premier Daniel Andrews may have finally rebuked the United Firefighters Union for bullying Jane Garrett — but Labor has already stitched up another generous deal for UFU members.

After three years of the union harassing the former emergency services minister, Mr Andrews finally called for an end to the war on Thursday, saying: “It is bullying, it is wrong and it should stop.”

But despite Mr Andrews’ demand, the Herald Sun can reveal Labor has still stitched up another generous deal for firefighters, and police and paramedics, which will add thousands of dollars to their retirement nest eggs.

The government is promising major reforms to the defined benefits superannuation scheme, delivering extra payments to ageing emergency services workers who have been in the job for decades.

The Labor-aligned UFU’s embarrassing move on Wednesday to produce how-to-vote cards urging voters to put Ms Garrett last in the upper house race in Eastern Victoria prompted dismay in the party’s leadership and anger among many MPs.

Former emergency services minister Jane Garrett. Picture: David Caird

Union boss Peter Marshall backed down from using the cards on Thursday but vowed to continue a “public campaign” against her.

Mr Andrews — who controversially sided with Mr Marshall against Ms Garrett when she was minister — said she was a “fantastic member of my team” and he hoped his message to the UFU would get through.

Only last month, a UFU member unsuccessfully challenged Ms Garrett’s preselection, the latest salvo against her after she complained about Mr Marshall’s “distressing conduct” during the fire services dispute which forced her to resign from Cabinet.

Mr Marshall has denied Ms Garrett’s claims against him, including that he threatened to put an axe in her head and sent her text messages that forced one of the Premier’s advisers to ask Mr Marshall not to contact Ms Garrett during school holidays.

UFU secretary Peter Marshall. Picture: Hamish Blair

Mr Andrews had consistently refused to comment on the UFU’s conduct, saying only that bullying was not acceptable in any workplace.

And it has now emerged that the UFU has just won further concessions from the government, with the superannuation reforms coming after a campaign from all emergency services unions.

Defined benefit scheme members currently hit a cap on their payout once they have worked for about 30 years, but Labor is promising to top them up with extra contributions, starting at 3 per cent of their salary next year and climbing to 12 per cent in 2026.

Labor says the changes will ensure “a fitting retirement for these hardworking Victorians”.

Police Association secretary Wayne Gatt said he was pleased Labor had addressed some of his union’s concerns with the scheme to help police “retire with dignity”.

Mr Marshall welcomed the proposals, also including lifting the savings of members impacted by unpaid parental or carers leave, and introducing a transition-to-retirement pension.

Twitter: @tminear