NT firefighters continue pay rise fight despite government’s $11.5m budget pledge

More firefighters have resigned and anger is still burning despite the NT government saying it will spend millions recruiting officers and buying more equipment.

NT Firefighters have been writing slogans on their fire trucks as part of a protected industrial action during ongoing EBA negotiations. Picture: Supplied

The union representing Territory firefighters says the government and executive management “need to start listening” before frontline officers pack up and leave.

It came as the government made a multimillion-dollar budget commitment, largely to recruit more firefighters and buy two more trucks.

However, United Workers Union NT secretary Erina Early said real risks to the agency were not being addressed.

“We already have 38 firefighters with applications currently sitting with interstate agencies and just this morning, five more members gave notice of resignation,” she said.

“They’re leaving the Territory – they just can’t work here anymore under these conditions.

“In the next few months we have the potential to lose a significant number of experienced firefighters, particularly in Alice Springs.”

Fireys protested against the settlement between their chief executive Jamie Chalker and the NT government at the May Day march in Darwin on Monday. Picture: Annabel Bowles

Ms Early said the union for two years fought for a wage increase of at least six per cent, safer working conditions and full workers’ compensation.

“The negotiations are not going well – they’re hostile,” she said.

However, Police, Fire and Emergency Services Minister Kate Worden said things were happening “in good faith”.

“Those are progressing and from my information we’re actually not that far away from being able to at least put an offer on the table,” she said.

“They are done between the Commissioner for Public Employment and the fire union as well as the service.”

The old Palmerston fire station is being redeveloped into a fit-for-purpose training facility. Picture: Annabel Bowles

Despite the agency’s last EBA expiring in November 2021, Ms Worden would not be drawn to a time frame on an offer.

Ms Early said negotiations were “nowhere near close to finalising”.

While the Territory’s 230-odd firefighters continue to wait for a pay rise, the government is spending an extra $5m on recruitment in its upcoming budget.

Two new fire trucks with 35-metre ladders, costing $4.2m, and a redevelopment of the old Palmerston fire station into a $2.3m training facility are also included.

Police, Fire and Emergency Services Minister Kate Worden, next to Territory Chief Fire Officer Mark Spain, announced $11.5m of additional NT government money would be spent on the fire service in the next budget. Picture: Annabel Bowles

Chief Fire Officer Mark Spain said the agency was looking to recruit 24 officers, largely to be based in Darwin, Palmerston and remote track stations.

However, he denied claims the agency was understaffed.

“We’re not short – we’re just building for capacity,” he said.

“The government has a $30bn future projection economy, so we work closely with the government to say that we can provide the response capability as the economy grows.

“This is a huge injection into the fire rescue service.”

The announcement comes just days after fireys showed up in huge numbers at May Day marches in Darwin and Alice Springs.

United Workers Union NT secretary Erina Early said the union representing Territory firefighters was at a “complete impasse” in pay negotiations. Picture: Floss Adams

For weeks they have called for better pay, staffing levels and leadership, writing slogans on firetrucks through protected industrial action.

Ms Early suggested the budget allocations would come as an insult to many – especially being made on International Firefighters Day.

“Unfortunately the minister didn’t bother to advise the union of this announcement either, which is a real disappointment,” she said.

“It completely describes the relationship this government and executive have with the frontline – they don’t care about them.”