Fireys anger at holiday pay rate
THE Tasmanian firefighters union fears a pay dispute could leave crews shorthanded this bushfire season as some fight for better public holiday pay.
United Firefighters Union of Australia Tasmania secretary Leigh Hills said the problem was around payments for non-rostered shift workers.
“Effectively the Department of Police, Fire and Emergency only want to pay singletime rates plus the public holiday payments rather than double-time rates and public holiday payments,” Mr Hills said. “What the award and the agreement says is they get single-time for the public holiday payment and double-time for all hours worked.
“Let’s say it was an eight-hour shift, what they’re actually paying is
16 hours instead of 24 hours.”
He said on public holidays it was not enough motivation for workers.
“The employees have said if it’s only for single-time rates and we’re not obligated to work, we’ll stay at home with our families,” Mr Hills said. “That’s left a gap.
“I’m sure Tasmania Fire Service and the government will say they’ve got things in place but they’re still going to be limited to a fair degree.”
The matter is currently before the Tasmanian Industrial Commission.
Mr Hills said the timing could not be worse, happening in peak fire season.
A DPFEM spokesman said the department was well placed to manage the season.
“The TFS has adequate trained resources to support operations over the Christmas/ New Year period,” he said
“The pay negotiations are well progressed and have no impact on TFS ability to provide services over the coming fire season.”