On the eve of a new election the United Firefighters Union of Australia, Tasmania Branch, is accusing the government of deliberately delaying negotiations and refusing back pay for firefighters, despite earlier commitments.
Media release – United Firefighters Union of Australia, Tasmanian Branch, 18 July 2025
No Government Commitment on Backpay
The government agreed to commence Agreement negotiations before the end of February 2025. The UFU wrote to the Commissioner reminding them of this commitment and we advised that the government were ready to commence negotiations.
Despite this, the government’s Lead Negotiator was not hired until the day before negotiations were due to commence. The government was not prepared for negotiations and took 3 months to prepare their log of claims following the start of negotiations.
The UFU wrote to the Premier in March requesting that as the negotiations had been delayed by the government, that the government should commit that any pay offers would include back pay.
The Premier responded advising that this matter should be raised with the Lead Negotiator and the Department.
When the UFU raised this matter with the Lead Negotiator and the Department, they advised that they did not have the authority to make this commitment.
In previous negotiations, the government have deliberately held up negotiations and enforced a no back pay rule, which is highly disingenuous.
“Despite being responsible for delays in negotiations, the Premier has failed to commit to including back pay in future offers,”
said Leigh Hills, United Firefighters Union of Australia, Tasmania Branch Secretary
“Last negotiations the Premier dragged out negotiations and then refused to include back pay and the evidence suggests that the Premier plans to do this again.
“For a government that loves to make a point of thanking firefighters and first responders for their service, these kind of games show what they really think of first responders, uncovering these games peels back the political spin to expose their true values,” he said.
Feature image courtesy Tasmania Fire Service.
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