NSW: Firefighters warn of industrial action

AAP General News (Australia)
08-22-2000
NSW: Firefighters warn of industrial action

New South Wales fire fighters may walk off the job indefinitely today over death and
disability entitlements.

The year-long dispute over government compensation to firefighters if they're killed
or injured on the job is due before the state's Industrial Relations Commission this afternoon.

The Fire Brigade Employees Union state president DARRYL SNOW has recommended a general
strike which could be held at the drop of a hat, possibly even today.

Mr SNOW says the 6,000 part-time and full-time officers are outraged by a series of
state government newspaper ads which appeared last week claiming the government's latest
offer is fair and reasonable.

The union says its members are angry after seeing those ads and are willing to do just
about anything, including walking out en masse.

A spokeswoman for Emergency Services Minister BOB DEBUS has defended the ads saying
they're a community service and prove the government is committed to negotiating in good
faith.

AAP RTV RTV nd/jn/alt/nf/et

KEYWORD: FIREFIGHTERS (SYDNEY)

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