❓ A parliamentary question regarding a breakdown in negotiations between the Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) and staff concerning the common fire services agreement, and the impact on emergency response and staff morale. The Minister's response outlines the negotiation process and denies delays or lack of good faith.
AnsweredQoN 88Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT AND CONSERVATION — COMMON FIRE
SERVICES AGREEMENT
88. Hon ADELE
FARINA to the minister representing the Minister for Environment:
This question without notice was originally asked in the name
of Hon Sally Talbot.
I refer to the
breakdown in negotiations with Department of Environment and Conservation staff
on the common fire services agreement and the consequential withdrawal by DEC
staff from the voluntary roster for preformed incident teams.
(1) In the absence of these preformed teams
what back-up measures will the minister put in place to guarantee response
times?
(2) What is the reason for DEC delaying
discussions on the agreement until mid-December 2011 when the claim was lodged
in July 2011 and the agreement expired in September 2011?
(3) Does the minister concede that these
delays and lack of good faith on the part of DEC affect firefighter and staff
morale and will not assist in staff retention, a problem the minister has
already readily acknowledged?
SERVICES AGREEMENT
88. Hon ADELE
FARINA to the minister representing the Minister for Environment:
This question without notice was originally asked in the name
of Hon Sally Talbot.
I refer to the
breakdown in negotiations with Department of Environment and Conservation staff
on the common fire services agreement and the consequential withdrawal by DEC
staff from the voluntary roster for preformed incident teams.
(1) In the absence of these preformed teams
what back-up measures will the minister put in place to guarantee response
times?
(2) What is the reason for DEC delaying
discussions on the agreement until mid-December 2011 when the claim was lodged
in July 2011 and the agreement expired in September 2011?
(3) Does the minister concede that these
delays and lack of good faith on the part of DEC affect firefighter and staff
morale and will not assist in staff retention, a problem the minister has
already readily acknowledged?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for asking this question on behalf of Hon Sally Talbot, who gave me some
notice of the question.
(1) Negotiations
on the DEC common fire service provisions agreement are being conducted by the
Department of Commerce with the Civil Service Association and United Voice.
They are close to finalisation with one matter still outstanding.
Last week, 18 employees opted out
of preformed teams as a result of an instruction from the CSA; however, they
have indicated that they remain available for emergencies. DEC has adequate
numbers of staff who remain available for preformed teams.
(2) DEC has
not delayed discussions as the parties agreed prior to the expiry of the
agreement in August 2011 that negotiations would be postponed until the
finalisation of another agreement. There were a number of letters exchanged
between the parties between July and November 2011.
The parties met on 14 and 23
November 2011. On 8 December 2011, DEC made an offer to the CSA and United
Voice. The CSA rejected this offer. The parties met again on 15 December 2011,
5 January 2012 and 4 February 2012.
On 29 February 2012, DEC made
another offer to the CSA and United Voice. The CSA rejected this offer.
Negotiations have continued.
(3) The basis
for the industrial action is unfounded as the parties are close to finalising a
new fire agreement, with the continuation of the industrial action being the
major impediment to its resolution. The department has provided the union with
opportunity to bargain in good faith through the normal negotiation process.
notice of the question.
(1) Negotiations
on the DEC common fire service provisions agreement are being conducted by the
Department of Commerce with the Civil Service Association and United Voice.
They are close to finalisation with one matter still outstanding.
Last week, 18 employees opted out
of preformed teams as a result of an instruction from the CSA; however, they
have indicated that they remain available for emergencies. DEC has adequate
numbers of staff who remain available for preformed teams.
(2) DEC has
not delayed discussions as the parties agreed prior to the expiry of the
agreement in August 2011 that negotiations would be postponed until the
finalisation of another agreement. There were a number of letters exchanged
between the parties between July and November 2011.
The parties met on 14 and 23
November 2011. On 8 December 2011, DEC made an offer to the CSA and United
Voice. The CSA rejected this offer. The parties met again on 15 December 2011,
5 January 2012 and 4 February 2012.
On 29 February 2012, DEC made
another offer to the CSA and United Voice. The CSA rejected this offer.
Negotiations have continued.
(3) The basis
for the industrial action is unfounded as the parties are close to finalising a
new fire agreement, with the continuation of the industrial action being the
major impediment to its resolution. The department has provided the union with
opportunity to bargain in good faith through the normal negotiation process.
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