Commitment to firefighter pay negotiations welcomed

Emergency Services Minister Neil Roberts has welcomed the commitment of the Queensland Fire and Rescue Service and United Firefighters’ Union to work with the independent umpire to reach agreement on the outcome of a job evaluation report.

Mr Roberts told State Parliament today the Queensland Fire and Rescue Service (QFRS) and United Firefighters’ Union (UFU) had agreed to work with the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission to reach agreement. Both parties are due before the Commission next week (5 March).

“In 2006, the Queensland Fire and Rescue Service and the United Firefighters’ Union agreed to the current pay rates for our firefighters,” Mr Roberts said.

“In a ballot of firefighters in September 2006, 91% of votes were in favour of the 2006-09 pay agreement.”

“However, there is unfinished business from this agreement – and that is the job evaluation report. The last evaluation report was conducted in 1994.”

“As at 1 July this year, the rolled up rate of pay for our firefighters and station officers will have increased by around 70% the 1996 Certified Agreement.”

Mr Roberts said QFRS and the UFU have considered the latest job evaluation report, but they have not reached agreement on how to implement its findings.

“Under the 2006 Certified Agreement, QFRS and the UFU agreed if they could not resolve the issue, they would try to do so in the Commission – the independent umpire,” Mr Roberts said.

“I welcome the continued commitment by QFRS and the UFU, and I am hopeful an agreement can be reached through this process.”

28 February 2008
Media contact: Kirby Anderson 0418 197 350