As members may be aware, the Award remains largely unadjusted since its inception in 2003. This creates conflict between members’ current conditions, modernised awards and changed worked practices in the Rural Fire Service (RFS).

As a part of the recent supreme court case settlement, the RFS and the Public Service Association (PSA) are required to recommence award negotiations. To do this, the PSA has developed a Log of Claims that has been derived from member surveys, member feedback and known historical issues with the current award. This log of claims was served on the RFS on 4 March.

The Log of Claims seeks to improve clarity, fairness and equality by addressing matters such as:

• Ensuring work required beyond seven hours is paid
• Limiting Local Arrangements to be employee-initiated only
• Expanding the classification of worker in the RFS to cover the different types of workers that exist
• Requiring that the Operational Communications Centre is sufficiently staffed to undertake it’s functions and not limit workers entitlements due to operational reasons
• Defining Programmed Overtime within the Annualised Conditions Allowance
• Defining Minor Follow Up work within the After Hours Allowance
• Increasing the After Hours Allowance relative to the past 23 years of indexation
• Clear, defined triggers for when Incident Conditions shall apply
• Modernising shift arrangements under Incident Conditions
• Creating additional allowances that recognise and compensate for specialist skills and duties that are additional to role descriptions
• Identify flexible working arrangements which are available to RFS employees
• Acknowledging the important role Mitigation Crew play in the RFS and the unique circumstances in which they work.

The above list is not final. Additionally, the PSA is seeking to have the past 23 years of work value, productivity and efficiency gains recognised through salary increases for all employees.

Whilst the PSA’s goal is to reach a consent position on the award, the PSA does not intend to enter into protracted bargaining meetings and will arbitrate as necessary.

The PSA earnestly wishes to reengage with the RFS in a constructive and pragmatic way. The PSA is the union that exclusively represents RFS employees. The RFS does not, it represents the Government.

If you wish to have a say on the RFS Award, contact your local Delegate or PSA staff directly.

If you are not a member join the PSA today to have your say.

Contacts

RFS Departmental Committee delegates

Jim Killen Chair
Ivan Perkins Vice Chair
Cameron Gray Secretary 
John Osmond Vice Secretary

Delegates
Ben Plummer
Lindsey Flynn
Brenton Pumpa
Cameron Gray
Guy Duckworth
Daniel Ainsworth
David Millsteed
Scott Hoy
Tim Allen
Brad Stewart
Adrian May

PSA staff

Michael Sinclair Industrial Officer

Kim de Govrik Organiser

Graydon Plumridge Organiser