ca22 - update 20 - agreement certified and operative

24 May 2023

I am very pleased to report that a process your union started in October 2021 with the gathering of ideas for our log of claims has reached an important milestone today with the QIRC certification of your new agreement.

I have just received the written Decision from the QIRC, which states that the Queensland Fire and Emergency Services Certified Agreement 2022 operates from 24 May 2023.

I take this opportunity to thank the State Committee of Management members for their input to the process since it commenced in October 2021, and all of the members who contributed ideas for the log of claims, and input into drafting content and negotiating with QFES. And I’d also like to thank UFUQ State Office Senior Industrial Officer Anthony Cooke who had carriage of the CA22 process from commencement through to the ongoing work yet to be done to develop the required policies and other embedding works.

Certification and commencement means that technically, all new content in CA22 now applies to you.  In reality, it will take a few weeks for your union and QFES to sort out all of the practical application requirements of new CA22 content.  I will keep you updated on that work.

BACKPAY?

I can also now confirm that due to certification and commencement of CA22, QFES Payroll and QSS have advised that the following payments will be made on the dates provided –

Payday 15 June 2023:           
1. Backpay of correction of the underpayment of your annual leave loading payment in December 2022, and
2.  Backpay of any entitlement to the 4% wage rise due 1 July 2022.

Payday 13 July 2023:             
1.  Payment of the 4% wage rise due 1 July 2023.

Payday 21 September 2023:  
1.  Payment of the 2023 COLA amount (3% of your annualised wage).

Any new entitlements will also be promptly discussed between your union and QFES.

There is still much to be done, but I know all of you are supportive of progressing to full implementation of CA22, as indicated by the 99% YES vote to accept the proposed agreement.

I’ll update you when there is more to report.

John Oliver - General Secretary