Collective Agreement Negotiations

A hard copy of the Union’s Settlement Proposal and the consequent response from the Fire Service has been forwarded to Local Secretaries and will be distributed on Stations shortly.

The Fire Service’s proposal has been rejected by the National Committee.

Strike Action

Strike Action continues until 27 August 2009. The action is as commenced on 13 August and essentially is a ban on logging onto the Fire Service network.

The action was clarified in an e-news of 12 August 2009, and this clarification continues.

As advised in Notice No. 25 – 12 August 2009, notice of further and amended Strike Action has been given for the week 0800 hours 27 August – 0800 hours 3 September.

A further notice to continue this action has been given for the week 0800 hours 3 September – 0800 10 September.

A similar clarifying notice to that put out on 12 August referred to above will be distributed prior to and relating to the action to commence on 27 August.

Payment Of Special/Additional Pay Claims

The Union has filed papers with the Employment Relations Authority challenging the Fire Service’s refusal to pay special/additional pay claims when notified directly to the Pay Office – i.e. not through S.M.S.

Clause 1.17.4 of the C.A. provides for all special payments to be paid on the pay day in the pay period following the claim being received.

The Union’s position is that by faxing details of special payments to the Pay Office, the Fire Service has received these claims and they must be paid.

The Authority has directed that urgent mediation occur on Monday 24 August with an Urgent Authority Hearing later on Monday, if mediation does not resolve the matter.