Attached is the result of the Ratification Ballot.

As the result declares - the proposed Collective Agreement has been ratified and members now again have a Collective Agreement to work under.

The turnout of those attending meetings and consequently voting was very high - certainly the highest for any Ratification Ballot and probably higher than for any ballot the Union has conducted.

We all however have to note the 600 members who voted to allow/facilitate Fire Service management's desire to introduce fully Flexible Rostering into the Fire Service - make no mistake, a vote to reject ratification of the proposed Collective Agreement was a vote to see fully Flexible Rostering - although probably many people voting to reject, did not intend this outcome - may be many were simply misled or misinformed.

The Union is advised the Lump Sum will be paid on 30 May 2012 and the new rate (from 5 January) and Back-pay will be paid on 13 June 2012.