UnitedUnited Fire Fighters Fire Fighters Union of Australia Union of Australia

Organisational Profile Presentation Organisational Profile Presentation

Global Alliance Founding Conference Global Alliance Founding Conference

Vancouver March 30 2009Vancouver March 30 2009

UFU HistoryUFU History UFUA is a national union of around 13,600 members UFUA is a national union of around 13,600 members

(10,800 fulltime, 2,800 part-time)(10,800 fulltime, 2,800 part-time)

Registered under labour laws in 1990 after a 30 year battleRegistered under labour laws in 1990 after a 30 year battle

Still a federation of autonomous branches. Some branches Still a federation of autonomous branches. Some branches still registered in their state systems as well as being a still registered in their state systems as well as being a branch of the national unionbranch of the national union

Eight branches – six states, Australian Capital Territory Eight branches – six states, Australian Capital Territory and Aviationand Aviation

1

RulesRules The Rules of the UFUA set out the scope of our industry and The Rules of the UFUA set out the scope of our industry and

membership, the governing bodies, finances and election membership, the governing bodies, finances and election arrangementsarrangements

Rules are registered with the Australian Industrial Relations Rules are registered with the Australian Industrial Relations Commission (AIRC) and give the union system rightsCommission (AIRC) and give the union system rights

Rules are changed by National Committee and a process of Rules are changed by National Committee and a process of notice to members. They must then be certified by the AIRC. notice to members. They must then be certified by the AIRC. Changes to eligibility and industry rules must be advertised Changes to eligibility and industry rules must be advertised and other unions can objectand other unions can object

2

National StructureNational Structure National Committee of Management: 23 delegates plus National National Committee of Management: 23 delegates plus National

Secretary and President with each branch electing delegates Secretary and President with each branch electing delegates proportionate to size (NSW 7 delegates down to Tasmania 1 delegate). proportionate to size (NSW 7 delegates down to Tasmania 1 delegate). Meets annually (November) and is the key policy making body of the Meets annually (November) and is the key policy making body of the unionunion

National Executive: one representative from each branch, plus the National Executive: one representative from each branch, plus the National President and Secretary. Meets as required (usually 3x per National President and Secretary. Meets as required (usually 3x per year)year)

National Secretary and President elected by and from NCOM delegatesNational Secretary and President elected by and from NCOM delegates

National Secretary and President currently honorary, but could be full-National Secretary and President currently honorary, but could be full-time under rules. Elected every 3 years after branch elections.time under rules. Elected every 3 years after branch elections.

3

Roles of National BodyRoles of National Body To assist the sharing of information and strategiesTo assist the sharing of information and strategies

To develop policies and campaigns around issues of common concernTo develop policies and campaigns around issues of common concern

To support individual branches in difficult campaignsTo support individual branches in difficult campaigns

To respond to the increasing tendency of employers to organise To respond to the increasing tendency of employers to organise nationallynationally

To play a role within the national union movement To play a role within the national union movement

To establish links with international fire-fighter organisationsTo establish links with international fire-fighter organisations

To ensure the UFUA is represented on national OH&S, standards and To ensure the UFUA is represented on national OH&S, standards and training bodiestraining bodies

4

Current ProjectsCurrent ProjectsSome current projects areSome current projects are::

Understanding the new Industrial Laws Understanding the new Industrial Laws ((Fair Work Bill 2008 )Fair Work Bill 2008 )

Presumption Legislations for fire-fightersPresumption Legislations for fire-fighters

Developing a Global News Tracking System for Fire fightingDeveloping a Global News Tracking System for Fire fighting OH&S – development of a new national policy and increasing engagement with OH&S – development of a new national policy and increasing engagement with

Standards Australia @ ISOStandards Australia @ ISO

National Executive and National Committee meetingsNational Executive and National Committee meetings

ACTU Executive and committeesACTU Executive and committees

Meeting with IAFF, NZPFU, FBUMeeting with IAFF, NZPFU, FBU

Establishing UFU Women’s NetworkEstablishing UFU Women’s Network

Assisting branchesAssisting branches

5

Branch StructuresBranch Structures Branch structures are set out in the rules (Appendices 1-7) with Aviation in the rules Branch structures are set out in the rules (Appendices 1-7) with Aviation in the rules

properproper

Each branch has a BCOM or SCOM which meets monthly or quarterly. Each branch has a BCOM or SCOM which meets monthly or quarterly. Representatives to BCOM/SCOM are sometimes elected on a rank, service or regional Representatives to BCOM/SCOM are sometimes elected on a rank, service or regional basis. Some branches have a smaller Executive basis. Some branches have a smaller Executive

The main officers are the Secretary (full-time in six branches) and President The main officers are the Secretary (full-time in six branches) and President (honorary). Other positions are vice-presidents, trustees, & committee members. (honorary). Other positions are vice-presidents, trustees, & committee members. Elections are by direct ballot of members each 3 years in accordance with an election Elections are by direct ballot of members each 3 years in accordance with an election timetable in the rules. Elections are conducted by the Australian Electoral timetable in the rules. Elections are conducted by the Australian Electoral Commission.Commission.

Branches are financed by union dues of between A$8-12 per week as determined by Branches are financed by union dues of between A$8-12 per week as determined by the branch. Part-timers pay 20%. All funds go to the branch which then runs the the branch. Part-timers pay 20%. All funds go to the branch which then runs the branch office, employs staff and makes a contribution per member to national office. branch office, employs staff and makes a contribution per member to national office.

All larger branches employ administrative and/or industrial staff in addition to the All larger branches employ administrative and/or industrial staff in addition to the Secretary (except in Queensland where Sec is honorary)Secretary (except in Queensland where Sec is honorary)

6

Branch RolesBranch RolesKey roles for branches are:Key roles for branches are:

Negotiate wages and conditions via collective bargaining every 2-3 Negotiate wages and conditions via collective bargaining every 2-3 years and monitor implementation (expressed in Enterprise years and monitor implementation (expressed in Enterprise Bargaining Agreements, EBAs, or in NSW by an award)Bargaining Agreements, EBAs, or in NSW by an award)

Ensure representation of members in individual or group grievances Ensure representation of members in individual or group grievances or disciplinary mattersor disciplinary matters

Negotiate with employers on all issues affecting members and ensure Negotiate with employers on all issues affecting members and ensure union is represented on committeesunion is represented on committees

Negotiate with state governments over fire service and industry Negotiate with state governments over fire service and industry matters, including oh&s and legislationmatters, including oh&s and legislation

Organise and train delegates networksOrganise and train delegates networks

Ensure the branch is engaged in the broader union movement through Ensure the branch is engaged in the broader union movement through the state Labour Councilthe state Labour Council

In most states (other than NSW) play a role in the ALPIn most states (other than NSW) play a role in the ALP

7

Membership: 13,660 Membership: 13,660 NationallyNationally

ACT:ACT: 358 358Queensland: Queensland: Full-timeFull-time 2022 2022

Retained Retained 315 315Western Australia:Western Australia: 945 945 New South Wales:New South Wales: Full-timeFull-time 3417 3417

Retained Retained 2380 2380Aviation Branch: Aviation Branch: 540 540Tasmania: Tasmania: 340 340 South Australia:South Australia: Full-time 771 Full-time 771

Retained Retained 129 129 Victoria:Victoria: 2427 2427

TotalTotal Full-timeFull-time 10819 10819 10819 10819Retained Retained 2819 2819 564 EFT 564 EFT

1363813638 11338 EFT*11338 EFT*

8

Concerns with FiguresConcerns with Figures

That there has been minimal growth in full time firefighter numbers in That there has been minimal growth in full time firefighter numbers in all states which indicate that our members are being expected to do all states which indicate that our members are being expected to do more recalls/overtime and that more tasks (e.g. USAR, CBR etc) are more recalls/overtime and that more tasks (e.g. USAR, CBR etc) are being pushed onto them without additional personnel or resources.being pushed onto them without additional personnel or resources.

The impact of volunteers in all states. There are around 150,000 The impact of volunteers in all states. There are around 150,000 volunteer firefighters around Australia, but they are declining in volunteer firefighters around Australia, but they are declining in number as regional areas struggle with population loss, especially number as regional areas struggle with population loss, especially young peopleyoung people. .

9

Where are the Members?Where are the Members? 93% are in the main state services. No city based fire services. Part-93% are in the main state services. No city based fire services. Part-

time (retained or auxiliary members) in NSW, SA and Qld. 150,000 time (retained or auxiliary members) in NSW, SA and Qld. 150,000 volunteers nationally in bush/rural fire brigades volunteers nationally in bush/rural fire brigades

4% in Aviation branch which covers fire-fighters in a monopoly 4% in Aviation branch which covers fire-fighters in a monopoly contractor to 17 main airportscontractor to 17 main airports

3% in private sector contractors to defence facilities 3% in private sector contractors to defence facilities

We don’t cover urban fire-fighters in the Northern Territory (about We don’t cover urban fire-fighters in the Northern Territory (about 120) or seasonal fire-fighters employed by state forests or 120) or seasonal fire-fighters employed by state forests or conservation departments (about 2000 over spring/summer)conservation departments (about 2000 over spring/summer)

10

The Fire ServicesThe Fire Services

All fire services employing career fire-fighters are state-wide except All fire services employing career fire-fighters are state-wide except for Victoria (where there are two). However in NSW, ACT and SA there for Victoria (where there are two). However in NSW, ACT and SA there are also separate volunteer rural fire services. are also separate volunteer rural fire services.

Funding is either via an insurance levy based system (NSW and Funding is either via an insurance levy based system (NSW and Victoria) or property based levy (Qld, SA, WA, Tasmania plus ACT in Victoria) or property based levy (Qld, SA, WA, Tasmania plus ACT in part)part)

11

Main External AffiliationsMain External Affiliations

National – ACTU. The ACTU is the peak union council formed 1927 National – ACTU. The ACTU is the peak union council formed 1927 with around 20 large union and 10 small union affiliates representing with around 20 large union and 10 small union affiliates representing 1.9m members. Dues are about $2.80 per member per year plus 1.9m members. Dues are about $2.80 per member per year plus campaign levy of $5.50 per member in 2006,2007 and 2008.campaign levy of $5.50 per member in 2006,2007 and 2008.

State – Labour Council or Trades Hall. Branches choose to affiliate or State – Labour Council or Trades Hall. Branches choose to affiliate or not and pay about $3 per member per year (depending on the state). not and pay about $3 per member per year (depending on the state). Also ALP (except NSW). Affiliation is a matter for branches. 50% of Also ALP (except NSW). Affiliation is a matter for branches. 50% of delegates to state conferences and about 50% to national ALP delegates to state conferences and about 50% to national ALP conferences are union officials. conferences are union officials.

12