The Union, represented by Steve Warner, Peter Hallett, Derek Best, Boyd Raines, Mike Powell, Peter 

Nicolle, Denis Fitzmaurice and Jim Ryburn, (our full negotiating team) met with the Fire Service on Thursday 5th January to continue the bargaining process for the renewal of the CEA. The Fire Service was represented by Janine Hearn, Brian Butt and Brett Warwick.

The discussion firstly centred around the employer’s offer which was due to expire on that day. The Union had previously sent the employer a list of questions on how the Fire Service thought that the relieving roster would be run and managed.

After considerable discussion and explanations the Union reiterated that they could not see that members of the Union would be agreeable to settling any Agreement that included changed rosters especially with the increases in remuneration that were on offer.

The Union then put back to the employer a virtual roll over offer that would settle the Agreement in the interim period.

The employer stated that they would need to confer with the Commission to confirm that there was agreement to do this. They said that they would hopefully get back to the Union later that day or at least by Friday the 6th January.

The employer notified the Union on Friday that they were having difficulty contacting the people they need to and said they would have a response back by early next week. This is the week commencing 9th January 2012.

Members will be informed of any results of this as soon as possible.