Victoria fire services panel to stamp out bullying and sexual harassment: Emergency Minister

A NEW panel to stamp out discrimination, bullying and sexual harassment in Victoria’s fire services will be created as part of a $150 million Metropolitan Fire Brigade workplace agreement.

A NEW panel to stamp out discrimination, bullying and sexual harassment in Victoria’s fire services will be created as part of a $150 million Metropolitan Fire Brigade workplace agreement.

Emergency Services Minister James Merlino announced the new committee today, after confirming the MFB had agreed to a workplace deal.

He labelled the new committee as a “breakthrough”, but did not detail its powers.

MFB PRESIDENT QUITS AFTER CONTROVERSIAL EBA PASSES

DEAL IMMINENT AMID POLITICAL PRESSURE

There are concerns that EBAs have played a major role in cases of abuse and discrimination in Victoria’s fire services in recent years.

In January, the Victorian Equal Opportunities and Human Rights commission briefed the government and the MFB on a looming report on bullying and harassment.

Emergency Services Minister James Merlino has denied knowledge of further resignations after MFB Board president Andi Diamond quit. Picture: AAP/Ellen Smith

Sources said it was clearly communicated that the workplace agreement had been central to the cultural problems, and a deal should be delayed until the review was released later this month. However, the MFB board backed the deal 4-3 on Thursday night, after which MFB president Andi Diamond quickly resigned.

Her departure follows mass resignations from the board and executive of the Country Fire Authority in 2016, amid a bitter pay dispute.

Mr Merlino welcomed the deal, and denied he was aware that more people were leaving over the agreement.

“Yesterday, the MFB board agreed to support, in principle, a new agreement for operational firefighters,’’ he said.

“One of the breakthroughs in that agreement was, for the first time ever, a formal agreement between our fire agencies and the union to directly tackle culture and diversity issues,” the minister said.

A panel to stamp out bullying and sexual harassment in Victoria’s fire services will be created, according to Emergency Services Minister James Merlino.

MFB BOSSES HAULED INTO GOVERNMENT MEETINGS

It was confirmed that expensive income protection measures had also been included in the new agreement.

Opposition spokesman Brad Battin accused the government of ramming the deal through as payback for the United Firefighters Union’s election support in 2014.

“(Premier) Daniel Andrews owes favours and, as we have seen, so much has been done for that union,” Mr Battin said.

Mr Merlino rejected those claims.

The workforce will now vote before the matter is sent to the Fair Work Commission.

Sources told the Herald Sun there was unease among non-union aligned workers.

“This is complete corruption,” one person said. “This undermines the fire services and is about lining pockets.”

[e-mail]

@alexwhitelive