Clause 2.6.2.2 of the Collective agreement requires the Union and the Fire Service to review Market Data (provided by Hay Group) and discuss and agree the remuneration rates to apply from 1 July 2016. The following is the outcome.
- An increase of 1.00% for Firefighters rates (with the exception of grand-parented rates in tables 7B and 7C).
- An increase of 0.5% for Officers, plus the final 2.5% catch-up – gives a total of 3.00%.
- Remuneration rates for Communicators (1%) and Shift Managers (3%)
- Allowances in Part 1 and Part 5 increased by 2%
The updated TWW also include an increase in the overtime rates for
- Firefighters to 1.33 times the hourly rate for the first 3 hours of all overtime worked on a week day, and before 12pm on a Saturday.
- Officers to 1.3% times the hourly rate for the first 3 hours of all overtime worked on a week day, and before 12pm on a Saturday.
- For existing overtime at 1.5 the hourly rate will continue for all overtime on a Public Holiday.
It is planned that the new pay rates will be made on the payday 6 July 2016.
For rates on various transition rates (Part 3 and Part 4) the following will apply.
- All Part 3 rates will move to the new substantive step for their current grade.
- All Part 4 F.S.O, Trainers and VSO’s will move to the new substantive rate for their current step.
- All Part 4 S FSO and Trainers on transition Step 3 will move to the new substantive Step 3.
- All Part 4 S FSO and Trainers on transition Steps 4 and 5 will move to the new transition steps 4 and 5. The Transition Step has been retained for Step 4 and 5 as the new substantive rates are more than 6% higher. The transition step provides a maximum 5 % increase (effects 8 staff).
The Fire Service will provide an explanation letter (along the lines of that provided 12 months ago) for all those moving off transition steps and those moving on transition steps.
The Market Rate from Hay Group showed an increase in the Grade 13 rate (the S.FF. benchmark) of 0.79%. The increase for the Grade 15 (S.O benchmark) was
0.46%.
These amounts after discussion, have been rounded up to 1% and 0.5% respectively.
The outcome will be considered disappointing – however with any Benchmarking or Relativity link there will be good years and bad years – swings and
roundabouts.
The Market Data provided is what it is. A historical comparison demonstrates this.
| Senior Firefighter | Station Officers | Combined Average |
| 6.2% | 9.9% Plus 7% Transition Payment | 8.9% excluding Transition Payment |
For 2013 – 2016
| CPI March quarter | Labour Cost Index | Public Sector | Private Sector |
| 2.9% | 6.6% | 5.3% | 7.1% |
