Minister urges firefighters to accept wage offer.

Minister for Emergency Services Neil Roberts today urged fire fighters to accept the Government’s wage offer which for some will boost their pay packets by up to $350 per fortnight.

UFU members have commenced voting on the Government’s proposed pay rise which is being offered as the result of a job evaluation report.

Queensland fire fighters have already benefited from a 12 per cent pay hike, plus penalties, over the past three years as part of their normal Enterprise Bargaining Agreement.

The Government is offering an additional 2.5 per cent pay rise _ on top of the 12 per cent every fire fighter has received.

Mr Roberts said wages for fire fighters have already jumped by around 70 per cent _ more than 40 per cent above CPI since 1994 when the last job evaluation was carried out.

He said the 2.5 per cent adds up to around $5.2 million, which will result in pay rises of between $56 and $350 per fortnight for fire officers depending on their rank.

"The increases are being offered in relation to the findings of a 2007 report which re-evaluated the role of fire fighters and recommended certain improvements in the wage structures of some ranks," Mr Roberts said.

"I believe this is a fair and reasonable offer.

"It is a genuine attempt to ensure fire-fighters receive wage adjustments in line with the findings of the Mercer Job Evaluation Report.

"On July 1 this year fire-fighters received the last of three 4% increases from their current enterprise bargaining agreement.

"This new wage offer of 2.5 per cent is additional to this year’s 4% increase.

"Negotiations for a new enterprise bargaining agreement will commence early next year where fire fighters will receive another wage increase over the following three years.

"The union has demanded QFRS pay out more than $25 million per year based on the Mercer Report’s recommendations _ on top of the ordinary EBA pay rises all public servants are entitled to.

"This is not only unrealistic, but given the current economic climate irresponsible.

"The Government will continue to negotiate reasonable wage rises with workers so they can look after their families.

"To cave into the unfair demands being made by the UFU would only jeopardise that."

As part of the pay rises offered as a result of the Mercer report, new recruits will receive an additional $350 per fortnight and newly appointed Station Officers will receive an additional $161 per fortnight.

These two positions were those identified as requiring adjustment in the job evaluation report.

The benchmark classification of Senior Fire-fighter will receive an additional $59 per fortnight.

"In addition to the wage increases on offer, QFRS will back-pay all increases to July 2007, in accordance with the 2006 EB agreement," Mr Roberts said.

"Some fire-fighters will receive back-payments of up to $4500 depending on their classification and commencement date."

Over the period of the job evaluation, 1994/95 to 2007, wages for fire-fighters have increased by around 70%, which is more than 40% above CPI.

The ballot is being conducted by the Electoral Commission of Queensland and closes on 29 October.


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