CFA board sacked by Victorian Government in bitter dispute over pay and conditions
The Victorian Government has made good on its promise to sack the board of the Country Fire Authority (CFA) after it failed to accept its latest offer over pay and conditions, despite the Supreme Court granting an urgent injunction to stop the board from voting on it.
The Government gave an ultimatum it would begin proceedings to remove the board by 5:00pm if the amended deal put forward by Cabinet was not agreed to.
But shortly after, volunteer firefighters were granted an urgent injunction by the court to stop the CFA from voting on it until June 22.
Despite this, Deputy Premier James Merlino, who was appointed as Emergency Services Minister following the resignation of Jane Garrett on Friday morning, said the Government had moved to sack the board.
"I do not have confidence in the ability of the board to end a dispute that has gone on for far too long and to deliver the reform that the Country Fire Authority needs to keep our community safe," Mr Merlino said in a statement.
Volunteer Fire Brigades Victoria argued in court that the CFA board breached its legal duty by failing to consult volunteers on the EBA, and the CFA did not oppose the move.
The CFA's leadership team earlier said it had received advice from the Government's senior crown counsel that reaffirmed parts of the agreement were unlawful.
It was concerned about a clause in the proposed EBA requiring them to have at least seven paid firefighters on the scene of every incident, and a push to prevent volunteers issuing orders.
'Enormous divide' between management and firefighters
Mr Merlino said additional safeguards had been made to the agreement to address the issues raised by the CFA, but their refusal was not the sole reason for the decision to sack the board.
He said the recent inquiry into Fiskville and a recent review of the fire services found "significant cultural and governance failures", morale was low and there was "an enormous divide between senior management and firefighters".
"Volunteer and career firefighters have told us they're sick of being used as a political football - they want this fixed so they can focus on fighting fires and keeping their communities safe," he said.
Opposition Leader Matthew Guy said the Government was
"smashing up the CFA" for a political payback."Daniel Andrews has bullied his minister out of a job, he's about to sack the CFA board, he's going to sack the CFA CEO, who he proudly appointed not even 12 months ago," Mr Guy said.
Firefighters' dispute explained
"No one agrees with him. It's his way or the highway.
"The CFA is in his way because it's standing in the way between him paying back a small but militant union that got him the job."
Premier Daniel Andrews said clauses would be inserted into the agreement to protect volunteer firefighters.
"I was not prepared ... to continue to have this dispute drag on dangerously in a bitter and spiteful distraction from the important work of fighting fire and keeping our communities safe," he said.
"I am more determined than ever, having got this deal done, to focus on the reform that must be made to deal with culture and to deal with performance in the Country Fire Authority."
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