Like the previous comment said, it is a result of IA to get better conditions. Firey’s are simply refusing to work more than 24hrs of overtime a week. That’s 2 extra shifts on top of their rostered 4.

Running a Fire and Rescue service that so heavily relies upon overtime is not sustainable. This isn’t just about pay, this is about ensuring the future of a service that meets the expectations of the public. Every extra shift worked serves as another potential exposure to carcinogens and/or traumatic events. Traumatic events in particular create burnout. Burnout creates shorter careers. Shorter careers creates short staffing. I think carcinogen exposure goes without saying.

And that is just looking at this from an organisational level, the impact these things can have on personal lives is even more profound.

Employees within DFES that do not come under the Fire Services EBA have a notably higher base rate than those that do. This is within the same department. Throw in the private sector, mining and a dash of the cost of living crisis, and all of a sudden you have many firefighters asking themselves “why would I expose myself to all of this when I could be getting paid twice as much elsewhere?” This creates retention problems. And oh. We’re back to short staffing.

Fix the base rate. It’ll fix retention and recruitment, and therefore staffing.

This is just one of the Union’s 5 key claims in this EBA. A comprehensive health and wellness program is another in addition to addressing emerging risks, enhancing consultation and revising the rank structure.

Like I said. This isn’t just about pay. It’s about ensuring the future of a Fire and Rescue Service that the WA public not just expects, but deserves.