Plaudits Not Politics Required says CPSU
The release of the Bushfire Royal Commission s Report into the Black Saturday fires necessitates careful and sensitive responses from all parties the union representing public sector agency fire fighters said today.
 

FIRE ........... FIRST ATTACK PUBLIC SECTOR PROFESSIONAL FIRE FIGHTER NEWS


In this Edition of 'FIRE'.....


** FINDINGS OF THE BUSHFIRES ROYAL COMMISSION **

The release of the Bushfire Royal Commission s Report into the Black Saturday fires necessitates careful and sensitive responses from all parties.

CPSU believes it would be irresponsible to politicise findings when there are so many people involved.

CPSU expressed concern about the report structure and the focus on fire by fire responsiveness.

This approach can only place more pressure on those that did their best on that day.

CPSU has been working behind the scenes over many months to ensure that members' interests are looked after, and the union believes that for the most part, the final report is a positive step. We are however disappointed that individuals were identified as having to do more.

Our stated view has always been that the focus should be on systems and not the hard working and largely unheralded public sector fire fighting workforce.

Hindsight Reviews should be used to look at systemic issues and the cost of this exercise should not be further wasted by playing scapegoat seeking.

The union has made legal assistance available to members who are in the thick of this, and will continue to provide whatever support we can.

CPSU welcomes the recommendation around the establishment of a Fire Commissioner but the Union has serious concerns about some of the proposals that were submitted to the BRC regarding structural change.

CPSU is particularly pleased to note that the report emphasises the importance of not allowing DSE's fire role to be subsumed into other agencies.

CPSU also notes that the report recommends a very significant increase in the area of public land that is subject to fuel reduction burns each year.

Any increase of this magnitude will require very large investment in resources - specifically increases in staff numbers, training, and physical resources.

It will also require a comprehensive community information campaign around the effect on Melbourne's air quality this burn size will create during the Autumn months.

With another fire season looming, the time is right for the Government to make fire prevention a big priority, and that will cost money.

CPSU also welcomes Premier Brumby's announcement that there will be a short consultation period before the Government makes any decisions on the recommendations.

To this end, the Union is seeking feedback from members about the recommendations, so that we can put together our submission to Government.

Time is of the essence on this, so we ask that any feedback is provided no later than this Friday August 6th.

Please send all comments in writing to CPSU Organiser Matthew Price at mprice@cpsuvic.org

Please distribute this bulletin and ask your colleagues to join CPSU to have their voice heard and their views represented.

Our 7 day a week, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year industrial protection ensures you have the principal public sector organisation looking after your working rights, winning wage increases, protecting your conditions, and providing personal industrial assistance when you need it.


CPSU MEMBERSHIP IS PROTECTION FOR YOUR MOST IMPORTANT ASSET. YOUR JOB.

Speak to a colleague today about the benefits of CPSU membership and have them contribute to our successes rather than just enjoying the benefits.


CPSU - 125 in 2010.

When 1,000 colonial public servants crammed into the Athenaeum Hall in Collins Street on 17 June 1885 to form the Victorian Public Service Association they had no idea that we d be still here and turning 125 this year.


TOGETHER WE DO BETTER!

http://www.cpsuvic.org/public_docs/Work-Can-Change-membership-flyer.pdf
http://www.cpsuvic.org/public_docs/memform.pdf


KAREN BATT
CPSU Victorian Branch Secretary

Monday 2 August 2010