Firefighter wage dispute likely to proceed to arbitration

Minister for Emergency Services, Neil Roberts said he was disappointed that a ballot of Queensland firefighters had rejected the government’s offer to settle a dispute on the outcomes of a job evaluation report.

Mr Roberts said that he was determined to have this issue resolved as quickly as possible.

“Given the long and protracted nature of this dispute, it is now time for the independent umpire to settle the matter.

“The dispute will be reconvened in the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission (QIRC) and my department will request the earliest possible hearings”.

He said the government’s offer would have boosted most firefighters pay packets by between $56 and $350 per fortnight, depending on their classification.

“These proposed increases were in addition to the four percent wage rise firefighters received in July as part of their current enterprise agreement. This agreement provides firefighters with yearly increases of four per cent per year, or 12 per cent over three years”.

A new enterprise agreement will be renegotiated in early 2009.

“The government’s offer to firefighters was costed at around $5.2 million per year. The United Firefighters Union’s last demand was for a pay increase costed at around $26 million per year.

“At a time when the community is feeling the burden of job and financial insecurity, the government’s offer was fair and responsible”.

Minister’s Office Contact: Corinne Mulholland - 0411 964 462