Coalition promise to restore CFA power, end deal with UFU-controlled FRV
The Victorian Opposition has locked in a promise to end union control of CFA staffing and support if elected in 2022.
THE United Firefighters Union’s control of CFA staffing, territory and resources will come to an end in 2022, if Victorians vote in a Liberal-Nationals Coalition Government.
That’s the promise of Opposition leader Michael O’Brien, who said a Coalition Government would introduce legislation within 100 days of being elected to restore the CFA chief’s power to select, recruit and manage staff without UFU intervention.
The Andrews Government has pushed through reforms that strip the CFA of 171 support staff and 38 stations, as well as forcing its chief to second 229 UFU-vetted commanders and assistant chief officers from the newly formed Fire Rescue Victoria service.
FRV was officially formed today, but cracks are already appearing in its fragile relationship with the CFA.
CFA chief Steve Warrington resigned last week, rather than sign a secondment agreement to take on the 229 FRV staff, given it limits his ability to manage FRV staff without UFU approval.
The agreement demands FRV seconded staff meet registration standards set by a committee of four, including two UFU members, an academic and a ministerial appointee.
The CFA’s top brass will not even be able to select the best staff for the job, with the Andrews Government legislation stating: “the chief officer of the CFA must agree to a particular officer or employee being made available” by FRV.
The CFA has scrambled to find replacements for Mr Warrington, who acted as both chief and chief executive of the CFA.
The CFA has already appointed former lawyer Catherine Greaves as acting chief executive, but was still trying to find a new chief fire officer at the time of going to print.
In a memo sent to staff the CFA board stated “the executive team, including deputy chief officers, are managing the transition at the present time and I am grateful for their efforts to ensure that all our operational functions are covered”.
Volunteers discovered this week the UFU was already dictating the hours of work for FRV seconded staff, after a memo went out stating regional commanders working as rostered duty officers would move from 9am to 5pm shifts to the union’s “10/14” roster.
The change meant the CFA would have to employ more FRV commanders in these roles, given the 10-14 roster limits a commander to working for two days, from 8am to 6pm, followed by two night from 6pm to 8am (sleeping from 11pm to 7am), followed by four days off, plus nine weeks annual leave.
It meant the CFA would need to employ up to five FRV staff to fill one position, given four are needed to cover 24 hours, seven days a week, plus an additional commander to cover all annual leave.
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