Industrial action not ruled out as unions finalise lengthy pay negotiations

Updated 5 days ago by Owen Sinclair

The union for firefighters has not ruled out industrial action after members gave their in-principle support for what the government has called a fair and affordable wage offer.

A majority of United Firefighter Union of Australia - Tasmania branch members have lent their in-principle support for a three per cent pay rise over the next year, at the same time as police officers agreed to a three-year offer.

UFU Tasmania branch secretary Leigh Hills said the offer was "acceptable" given the government and the union were unable to come to agreement on a longer-term offer.

He said the union will commence high-level industrial action if the government attempts to stall negotiations for a longer-term agreement.

"Unlike other organisations, the UFU will not sell the whole of its membership down the road for a short-sighted proposal because the government hasn't got its finances together," Mr Hills said.

Firefighters will also receive a one per cent structural adjustment to their composite wage.

Police accept third offer

Premier Jeremy Rockliff thanked the police and fire services for everything they do.

"Together with the unions, we have delivered a long-term wage agreement for our police officers and a one-year rollover agreement for firefighters," he said.

The move comes after police officers sought wage parity with other policing jurisdictions during extensive negotiations over wages and conditions.

A majority of Police Association of Tasmania members have secured increased salaries and improved conditions after accepting the government's third offer.

"Every police officer in this state will receive baseline wage increases, with a guarantee from government that they will receive an uplift if any other state service employee receives more," PAT president Shane Tilley said.

"No single offer will meet the expectations of every member; however, the PAT has worked diligently to secure the best possible outcome for the membership, given the current political and financial position the state finds itself in."

The police agreement includes a pay rise of three per cent in year one, three per cent in year two and 2.75 per cent in year three.

A new one-year rollover offer has also been made to unions for 17,000 state servants covered by the Public Sector Union Wages Agreement.

The UFU met with the government this week to discuss a longer-term agreement that Mr Hills said will aim to deal with the "structural issues with wages and conditions within the Tasmania Fire Service, in order to attract and progress workers within the industry".

It comes just weeks after bushfires on the East Coast forced residents to evacuate their homes.