In this edition - In my most recent update, I mentioned that formal authority to bargain was yet to be given by the state government to QFES. This still has not occurred.

In this edition - I am pleased to report that after many months of waiting, some key steps in getting to the bargaining table on your new agreement have occurred.

In this edition - As you will recall, QFES recently conducted a flawed recruitment and selection process that completely disregarded the vital requirement for regional Assistant Commissioners to have professional firefighting qualifications and experience, and the UFUQ lodged a dispute at the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission (QIRC) regarding this matter.

In this edition - For over a decade, the UFUQ had been pushing for a reverse of the ‘onus of proof’ for firefighters claiming workers’ compensation when they are diagnosed with specific types of cancers. In December 2013, the then state government opposition leader (now Queensland Premier Palaszczuk) in an agreement with the UFUQ wrote to us confirming that upon return to government (which occurred in January 2015) she would ensure presumptive legislation was introduced into the Queensland workers’ compensation system. That agreement with your state union happened as promised.

In this edition - In CA22 Update 1 (emailed to members on 31 May 2022), I reported to you that commencement of your new certified agreement is waiting on a formal wage offer from the state government and then the authority from the state government to QFES to provide your union with a notification of an intention to bargain.