Fire-fighters warn of strikes

STRIKES may be rolled out across the state’s fire stations if the New South Wales Government cuts conditions in the upcoming budget, the fire-fighters union has warned.

The Fire Brigade Employees Union (FBEU) says it will meet on Wednesday morning to discuss possible industrial action after the NSW Government foreshadowed heavy job cuts in next week’s budget.

“If there is any threat to our award conditions around workers compensation or if there is any threat to our Death and Disability . . . fire-fighters will be considering all courses of action,” FBEU state president, Darin Sullivan, told Sydney journalists today (Friday).

As part of his second state budget, Treasurer Mike Baird is set to announce a binding 1.2 per cent annual

The move – which is equivalent to cutting 10,000 jobs – is hoped to save $2.2 billion over four years.

Mr Baird says it will not come at the cost to vital services.

But Mr Sullivan says this is a “hoax”.

“If support services and the resources that are in place in Fire and Rescue to help fire-fighters to do their job are taken away or reduced then the capacity for fire-fighters to do their job is reduced,” he says.

Secretary of Unions NSW, Mark Lennon, says they will launch a “comprehensive campaign” against the job cuts following the budget.

A Sydney rally against cuts to workers compensation planned for Wednesday will no doubt see protests over job cuts raised as well, he says.