Firefighters suspend action

By Frances Sheehan

SYDNEY -- On August 13, a mass meeting of Fire Brigade Employees Union (FBEU) members voted to end two weeks of industrial action after winning a commitment from the state Labor government to stop the practice of forced medical retirement of injured firefighters and to adhere to a six-point statement of principles in negotiations to be held over the next two weeks.

The firefighters took action on August 1 after the government failed to address inequities in death and disability coverage under different superannuation schemes.

The government's initial offer was unanimously rejected at a meeting of around 1500 firefighters on August 6. At the August 13 meeting, the government's promise of a job for life for injured firefighters was well received.

While the government has yet to promise to establish equity between the superannuation schemes, it did commit to negotiations over death and disability benefits. The negotiations will begin on August 16.

FBEU state secretary Chris Read said that, while the union had agreed to suspend industrial action, “this dispute is far from over”. Firefighters are scheduled to meet again on August 27 to consider the outcome of the negotiations.

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