Members

Attached to this bulletin is amended version of the Crown Employees (Rural Fire Service) Award developed by the PSA and your delegates that gives effect to the 14 proposed amendments which membership overwhelmingly supported in our most recent survey. Before we file this amended award in the Industrial Relations Commission (IRC) and proceed to hearing, we want you to confirm your support for the Award. Accordingly, please see the attached survey.

Recent history

On 10 September 2021, the PSA put out a vote for 14 proposed amendments to the current award. Read our bulletin HERE.

The survey closed with Rural Fire Service (RFS) membership confirming its support of the 14 proposed amendments.

On 7 October, the PSA approached RFS management to recommence negotiations to vary the RFS award. The RFS then advised on 15 October that it did not wish to continue to negotiate the award with the PSA, which means we are now proceeding to arbitrate the award.

Next steps

The PSA continues to support our members’ request for improved work conditions that are fair and equitable. We believe that the attached amended award achieves that. The amendments to the award seek to give effect to the 14 proposed amendments, which membership overwhelming supported. Please confirm your support for the amended award by completing the attached survey.

It should be noted, that the attached award is in draft form and subject to change. Some amendments simply attempt to give effect to the PSA’s interpretation of the current award. If the IRC agrees with our interpretation, it may be unnecessary for the amendment to be included in the award. For example – in the PSA’s opinion, overtime is payable for all hours worked on weekends by directions, irrespective of whether a local arrangement in used. If the IRC agrees with the PSA’s interpretation, the new cl 7.11 is not necessary.

It should also be noted that as the PSA is proceeding to arbitrate the award, there is no guarantee that the IRC will make all amendments the PSA is seeking. Nevertheless, despite the uncertainty of arbitrated proceedings, the PSA is determined to improve your conditions.

The survey link can be found HERE.