CODE 2, VOL 37, NO 26 : 15 december 2023

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR

On behalf of the State UFUQ Executive members, and all of your elected officials and employees of the State UFUQ, I wish every member a safe, and Merry Christmas and also a happy New Year.

This year was not an easy one, as we faced the reality of the dangerous role we perform, following the tragic loss of our colleague and comrade Izzy Nash, and the injury of Lia Drew. Lia continues her recovery and UFUQ Representatives have regularly been checking on her wellbeing. The joy of this season will be tempered for many of us reflecting on our loss this year.

2023 also saw many of the matters your union has been working hard to achieve start to come to fruition, the return to an operationally focussed Fire and Rescue Service in the new Queensland Fire Department being something your state office has been working on for over five years. And there are many more good announcements to come regarding these reforms. CA22 was certified this year, with many members saying the current set of employment conditions are the best they’ve ever been in their time in the job.

While this time of year means a well-earned rest for many Queenslanders, of course you and your colleagues work 24/7/365 and many of you will be working during this time of year. Our first cyclone of the current season has just passed across far north Queensland, and there’s no doubt it may well be a busy summer. Having to work at this time of year is difficult, and being away from family and friends is also very difficult, but each and every UFUQ member signed up to do what’s needed to keep Queensland and Queenslanders (and others when we are called on to help) safe and that means you are always ready to answer the call when it comes.

For those of you struggling after a tough year, or feeling isolated at this time of year, please reach out and ask for help.  Stay safe.  Look after each other.

I look forward to working with and for you all again in 2024.

UFUQ STATE OFFICE ADMINISTRATIVE CLOSURE

While the work to provide industrial coverage to you and your colleagues never really stops, the state office doors will be closed to provide the administration team a Christmas break.

The administrative functions of the state office will be closing at 1500 on Thursday 21 December 2023 and the office reopens on Monday 8 January 2024 at 0830.  If you require any administrative matters handled by your union during this period (for example credit card changes, change of address, other contact details, or rank change advice) please email ufu@ufuq.com.au or update your details on the website here.  The administrative team will work through those contacts on their return in early January 2024.

Industrial relations coverage continues 24/7/365 and if you urgently need to speak to your union about a problem at work (for example injury, suspension from duty or other significant events), please contact your SCM Representative, and they will deal with your query as needed, including contacting the on-call state office industrial officer if needed. All other matters can be held over until the office is open again in the new year.

You can find your current SCM Representatives here.

2024 DIARY AND CALENDAR

Despite the common refrain that we live in a digital age, the UFUQ diary is as popular as ever.  As always, your 2024 dairy includes the 2024 (and the 2025) shift calendar.

Diaries are being dispatched in late December, along with helmet stickers for Firefighter, Station Officer and Senior Officer members.

The UFUQ send a diary each year to every single financial member, however, every year, many members contact the union to complain they didn’t receive a diary, and on almost every occasion, it’s because the member has not updated their postal details. The diary mailing list has been sent to the distribution contractor, so your current postal address in our system is where your diary is going. Please contact the union office on 0738440366 as soon as you can to organise any updates required, so that your diary can be redirected when it’s returned.

On helmet stickers, you have the right to proudly wear your helmet sticker and your SCM Representative should be informed immediately if anyone suggests otherwise.

John Oliver - General Secretary