CA Updates: CA22 UPDATE 7 - BARGAINING NOW FULLY UNDERWAY

27 September 2022

Your union has now had 10 meetings with QFRS about the proposals from all parties for CA22.

At this stage I can provide a preliminary report on the progress of your union’s claims.

In summary, all claims relating to additional entitlements (wages, allowances or changes to rates of pay) are being rejected by the state government representatives to the bargaining, with QFES then reporting they are not able to discuss ‘money’ matters beyond the public sector wages policy (the PSWP).

The PSWP you will recall is (what the government is referring to as a ‘very generous offer’) the wage increase offer of 4%, 4% & 3% plus an additional CPI top up to a maximum of 3% each year of the agreement. Central government is saying there is no availability for any changes to any other wages, allowances or entitlements beyond that offer, and that offer cannot be adjusted up or down to accommodate any other change, (this includes any and all of our ‘money’ claims including the adjustment to your superannuation due to the forced retirement age).

This makes bargaining for your CA22 agreement quite difficult. However, your state office representatives have bargained in difficult circumstances before and we will continue to work to obtain the best possible outcome in these circumstances.

I will provide further updates weekly throughout October, and will start to provide information on specific claims from your union and QFRS that have progressed, are stalled or that have been removed from bargaining as we go throughout the month.

John Oliver - General Secretary