CFA/UFU stoush continues to draw fire
I was rather angered the Premier of Victoria, Daniel Andrews wouldn't meet a bunch of volunteer fire fire-fighters (only some brigade captains) in Ararat to speak with him about their concerns with the union take over, which has seen many volunteers quitting. These volunteer fire-fighters give up their time to save people's homes and they are the real heroes in our community. It's about time the Premier got off his high horse and settled this saga which is just not beneficial for the union but for all CFA volunteers that do us so proud on some many occasions.
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Geoff Rundell, Ballarat
I have remained very quiet regarding newspaper reports and debate about the Fair Work Commission and the CFA.
However, after reading a letter in the press from Geoff Howard regarding the same and his obvious ignorance of the true facts, I tried to locate him to remedy this situation but was not able to. I feel guilty in not doing more to relate experienced observations of the main matters of dissension to the decision makers such as Mr Howard and the general public.
Along with many volunteers I have experienced, and been in charge of hundreds of incidents in both rural and urban areas over a period of 65 years. I could not and would not recommend other members resigning over this very important and one-sided undemocratic issue.
This would be following the low standard set by some odd unionists and a few misguided politicians. The public expects a high standard of life and property protection from fire and immediate, organised action and rescues at road accidents from prompt and well-trained personnel, including volunteers. Remembering the good old days of the very successful partnership of volunteer and paid firefighters.
Tom Ford, Miners Rest
I read your response to the Hon. Josh Morris' letter (Saturday 11th June) with interest. I totally agree with your hypothesis that we should focus on facts, rather than opinion or emotion.
The United Firefighters Union and the Andrews government claim this industrial agreement will not affect CFA volunteers in any "significant" way.
But the demands being made by the UFU in the long list of clauses that the CFA must comply with under the agreement, including the veto powers, equipment, uniforms and station access show that this is simply not true. Meanwhile, there are a plethora of perks being sought to look after paid firefighters.
Because she objected to this EBA, the Minister for Emergency services Jane Garrett has lost her job. The CEO of the CFA will lose her job - sacked. The Board of the CFA has been dismissed. This is a very, very sad state of affairs for Victoria.
Never before in my personal history of over 55 years of observing the Victorian Government have I seen anything the likes of this. The rule of democracy in this State has been sacrificed on the altar of political expediency to a Trade Union upon whose support was key to the Andrews Government election. Some 60,000 CFA volunteers have been utterly ignored in the interests of some 800 UFU Union Members.
On the floor of the lobby of the State Parliament is the following inscription; "Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety." This decision by the Andrews Government tramples all over these sacred and noble principles. The voters of this State will not forget.
John Gault, Maryborough.
Well might we wonder what "Dictator Dan" has in store for us next ? What else can he impose on us that we have no say in? Democracy; born in Ballarat, killed in Melbourne.
Yvonne Smith, Ballarat
