United Fire Fighters Union of Australia United Fire Fighters Union of Australia Organisational Profile Presentation Organisational Profile Presentation Global Alliance Founding Conference Vancouver March

UFU History UFUA is a national union of around 13,600 members (10,800 fulltime, 2,800 part-time) UFUA is a national union of around 13,600 members (10,800 fulltime, 2,800 part-time) Registered under labour laws in 1990 after a 30 year battle Registered under labour laws in 1990 after a 30 year battle Still a federation of autonomous branches. Some branches still registered in their state systems as well as being a branch of the national union Still a federation of autonomous branches. Some branches still registered in their state systems as well as being a branch of the national union Eight branches – six states, Australian Capital Territory and Aviation Eight branches – six states, Australian Capital Territory and Aviation 1

Rules The Rules of the UFUA set out the scope of our industry and membership, the governing bodies, finances and election arrangements The Rules of the UFUA set out the scope of our industry and membership, the governing bodies, finances and election arrangements Rules are registered with the Australian Industrial Relations Commission (AIRC) and give the union system rights Rules are registered with the Australian Industrial Relations Commission (AIRC) and give the union system rights Rules are changed by National Committee and a process of notice to members. They must then be certified by the AIRC. Changes to eligibility and industry rules must be advertised and other unions can object Rules are changed by National Committee and a process of notice to members. They must then be certified by the AIRC. Changes to eligibility and industry rules must be advertised and other unions can object 2

National Structure National Committee of Management: 23 delegates plus National Secretary and President with each branch electing delegates proportionate to size (NSW 7 delegates down to Tasmania 1 delegate). Meets annually (November) and is the key policy making body of the union National Committee of Management: 23 delegates plus National Secretary and President with each branch electing delegates proportionate to size (NSW 7 delegates down to Tasmania 1 delegate). Meets annually (November) and is the key policy making body of the union National Executive: one representative from each branch, plus the National President and Secretary. Meets as required (usually 3x per year) National Executive: one representative from each branch, plus the National President and Secretary. Meets as required (usually 3x per year) National Secretary and President elected by and from NCOM delegates National Secretary and President elected by and from NCOM delegates National Secretary and President currently honorary, but could be full- time under rules. Elected every 3 years after branch elections. National Secretary and President currently honorary, but could be full- time under rules. Elected every 3 years after branch elections. 3

Roles of National Body To assist the sharing of information and strategies To assist the sharing of information and strategies To develop policies and campaigns around issues of common concern To develop policies and campaigns around issues of common concern To support individual branches in difficult campaigns To support individual branches in difficult campaigns To respond to the increasing tendency of employers to organise nationally To respond to the increasing tendency of employers to organise nationally 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 organisations To establish links with international fire-fighter organisations To ensure the UFUA is represented on national OH&S, standards and training bodies To ensure the UFUA is represented on national OH&S, standards and training bodies 4

Current Projects Some current projects are: Understanding the new Industrial Laws (Fair Work Bill 2008 ) Understanding the new Industrial Laws (Fair Work Bill 2008 ) Presumption Legislations for fire-fighters Presumption Legislations for fire-fighters Developing a Global News Tracking System for Fire fighting Developing a Global News Tracking System for Fire fighting OH&S – development of a new national policy and increasing engagement with Standards ISO OH&S – development of a new national policy and increasing engagement with Standards ISO National Executive and National Committee meetings National Executive and National Committee meetings ACTU Executive and committees ACTU Executive and committees Meeting with IAFF, NZPFU, FBU Meeting with IAFF, NZPFU, FBU Establishing UFU Women’s Network Establishing UFU Women’s Network Assisting branches Assisting branches 5

Branch Structures Branch structures are set out in the rules (Appendices 1-7) with Aviation in the rules proper Branch structures are set out in the rules (Appendices 1-7) with Aviation in the rules proper 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 basis. Some branches have a smaller Executive 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 basis. Some branches have a smaller Executive The main officers are the Secretary (full-time in six branches) and President (honorary). Other positions are vice-presidents, trustees, & committee members. 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 Commission. The main officers are the Secretary (full-time in six branches) and President (honorary). Other positions are vice-presidents, trustees, & committee members. 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 Commission. 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 branch office, employs staff and makes a contribution per member to national office. 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 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 Secretary (except in Queensland where Sec is honorary) All larger branches employ administrative and/or industrial staff in addition to the Secretary (except in Queensland where Sec is honorary) 6

Branch Roles Key roles for branches are: Negotiate wages and conditions via collective bargaining every 2-3 years and monitor implementation (expressed in Enterprise Bargaining Agreements, EBAs, or in NSW by an award) Negotiate wages and conditions via collective bargaining every 2-3 years and monitor implementation (expressed in Enterprise Bargaining Agreements, EBAs, or in NSW by an award) Ensure representation of members in individual or group grievances or disciplinary matters Ensure representation of members in individual or group grievances or disciplinary matters Negotiate with employers on all issues affecting members and ensure union is represented on committees Negotiate with employers on all issues affecting members and ensure union is represented on committees Negotiate with state governments over fire service and industry matters, including oh&s and legislation Negotiate with state governments over fire service and industry matters, including oh&s and legislation Organise and train delegates networks Organise and train delegates networks Ensure the branch is engaged in the broader union movement through the state Labour Council Ensure the branch is engaged in the broader union movement through the state Labour Council In most states (other than NSW) play a role in the ALP In most states (other than NSW) play a role in the ALP 7

Membership: 13,660 Nationally ACT: 358 ACT: 358 Queensland: Full-time 2022 Retained 315 Retained 315 Western Australia: 945 New South Wales:Full-time 3417 Retained 2380 Aviation Branch: 540 Tasmania: 340 South Australia:Full-time 771 Retained 129 Victoria: 2427 TotalFull-time Retained EFT EFT* 8

Concerns with Figures That there has been minimal growth in full time firefighter numbers in 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 being pushed onto them without additional personnel or resources. That there has been minimal growth in full time firefighter numbers in 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 being pushed onto them without additional personnel or resources. The impact of volunteers in all states. There are around 150,000 volunteer firefighters around Australia, but they are declining in number as regional areas struggle with population loss, especially young people. The impact of volunteers in all states. There are around 150,000 volunteer firefighters around Australia, but they are declining in number as regional areas struggle with population loss, especially young people. 9

Where are the Members? 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 volunteers nationally in bush/rural fire brigades 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 volunteers nationally in bush/rural fire brigades 4% in Aviation branch which covers fire-fighters in a monopoly contractor to 17 main airports 4% in Aviation branch which covers fire-fighters in a monopoly contractor 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 120) or seasonal fire-fighters employed by state forests or conservation departments (about 2000 over spring/summer) We don’t cover urban fire-fighters in the Northern Territory (about 120) or seasonal fire-fighters employed by state forests or conservation departments (about 2000 over spring/summer) 10

The Fire Services All fire services employing career fire-fighters are state-wide except for Victoria (where there are two). However in NSW, ACT and SA there are also separate volunteer rural fire services. All fire services employing career fire-fighters are state-wide except for Victoria (where there are two). However in NSW, ACT and SA there are also separate volunteer rural fire services. Funding is either via an insurance levy based system (NSW and Victoria) or property based levy (Qld, SA, WA, Tasmania plus ACT in part) Funding is either via an insurance levy based system (NSW and Victoria) or property based levy (Qld, SA, WA, Tasmania plus ACT in part) 11

Main External Affiliations National – ACTU. The ACTU is the peak union council formed 1927 with around 20 large union and 10 small union affiliates representing 1.9m members. Dues are about $2.80 per member per year plus campaign levy of $5.50 per member in 2006,2007 and National – ACTU. The ACTU is the peak union council formed 1927 with around 20 large union and 10 small union affiliates representing 1.9m members. Dues are about $2.80 per member per year plus campaign levy of $5.50 per member in 2006,2007 and State – Labour Council or Trades Hall. Branches choose to affiliate or 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 delegates to state conferences and about 50% to national ALP conferences are union officials. State – Labour Council or Trades Hall. Branches choose to affiliate or 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 delegates to state conferences and about 50% to national ALP conferences are union officials. 12