By Peter Douglas
THE controversial enterprise bargaining agreement being put to CFA volunteers looks likely to head to a vote.
Volunteer Fire Brigades Victoria (VFBV) on Tuesday, 25 October, announced it will drop its Supreme Court action over the dispute, just weeks before the case was to go to trial.
The decision comes after the Federal Government introduced changes to the Fair Work Act, which attempts to block industrial agreements from interfering with emergency service volunteers.
VFBV Chief Executive Andrew Ford said the Fair Work Commission could now deal with the issue.
This means the enterprise agreement between the CFA and its workforce can now be put to a vote of career firefighters.
If a majority of the workforce agrees, it will then go to the independent Fair Work Commission for approval.
The Victorian Government has been quick to welcome the decision.
Monbulk MP and Emergency Services Minister, James Merlino, described the decision as a win for firefighters and community safety.
“It’s disappointing that Andrew Ford and the VFBV leadership sought to drag out this dispute and create division in our fire service, instead of focussing on what really matters – community safety and the welfare of our firefighters,” he said.
“They have recognised that they have no case and the Opposition must now do the same – it’s time to stop using our firefighters as political footballs.
“Our emergency services are fully focused on the upcoming fire season and doing what they have always done – keeping Victorians safe.”
Mr Merlino said it was always the Victorian Government’s view the agreement should be dealt with by an independent umpire and not in the courts.
Meanwhile, Gembrook MP and Shadow Minister for Emergency Services, Brad Battin, said the issue was not over.
“James Merlino is again misleading his own community, trying to convince us the CFA issue is over,” he said.
“This is far from over, as James Merlino continues to disrespect his local volunteers by handing control of their CFA to the United Firefighters Union.
“The next stage for volunteers is in the Fair Work Commission, and I call on James Merlino and Daniel Andrews to support the volunteers in this hearing, and not the union who helped get them elected.”
