Labor Mps Under Fire As Firefighters' Pay Row Flares

Illawarra Mercury

Saturday August 23, 2008

By MICHELLE HOCTOR

ILLAWARRA firefighters have placed two State Labor MPs on notice for failing to publicly support their wages campaign.

Member for Keira David Campbell and Member for Kiama Matt Brown have been told that unless they support the campaign for a pay rise greater than the Government's 2.5 per cent ceiling, they will face a backlash.

Firefighters met at Warrawong Fire Station on Thursday night as part of statewide talks that resulted in $500,000 being voted for a "grassroots" campaign against the State Labor Government.

The meetings were held in the lead-up to a two-week wages arbitration case in the Industrial Relations Commission that starts on Monday, when the NSW Government and firefighters will try to negotiate beyond the 2.5 per cent cap, without having to sacrifice their award conditions.

Fire Brigades Employees' Union state secretary Simon Flynn said firefighters were "absolutely furious" about the Government's treatment.

"We're not asking politicians to support us getting a pay rise. We just don't want firefighters' wages and conditions cut and we don't want fire stations closed," he said.

"We're going to go out there into their electorate and, through the use of billboards, flyers, and newspaper advertisements say, 'Your local member of parliament will not rule out shutting fire stations in your community'."

Fire Brigades Employees' Union Illawarra sub-branch secretary Darin Sullivan said he had met with all five of the region's MPs in the past month.

Member for Wollongong Noreen Hay and Member for Shellharbour Lylea McMahon have previously expressed their support through the media.

Member for Heathcote Paul McLeay said yesterday he had expressed his support in a meeting with firefighters.

"I support them getting real wage increases and not the amount funded by Treasury and I don't support any erosion of their conditions or community safety in doing so," Mr McLeay said.

Firefighters met Mr Campbell yesterday, when he said he would convey firefighters' concerns to NSW Emergency Services Minister Nathan Rees.

Mr Campbell, when contacted by the Mercury, was unwilling to express his own stance on the wages claim. Mr Brown could not be contacted for comment.

Mr Sullivan said firefighters were "pretty much at breaking point".

"If the case finishes and our award is gutted or we come out with too much negativity over the court case, the firies have signalled they won't cop any major attacks on their conditions or public safety," he said.