The ballot for acceptance or rejection of the 2009-2012 Enterprise Agreement was counted today.  The ballot was conducted among all affected employees of the QFRS, and resulted in an overwhelming acceptance of over 96% of employees with 1398 in favour and only 50 against.  This is the highest percentage of acceptance for any Enterprise Agreement within the fire service since the inception of Enterprise Bargaining. Even though it was a "yes" or "no" vote, three employees managed to cast informal votes!

I congratulate members and SCM Delegates, along with Henry Lawrence and Paula Newman who joined me as the lead negotiating team, for the outstanding result.  These negotiations were extremely difficult, and I thank members for their support of the Union Management team to achieve the outcome which is well above the inflation rate and will provide wage increases of at least 13% compounded to members over the next two years.

I will now be in a position to sign the application to the Industrial Commission for certification of the agreement and the wage increases will flow soon after.

Again, thanks to all members for their support throughout the recent months.

Mark Walker
State Secretary