On Saturday, UFU members staged a silent protest — a clear and respectful message that Fire Rescue Victoria is not working and that firefighters and staff have lost confidence in its leadership.
CTA workers have gone over five years without a signed EBA or a pay rise, with FRV executive management ignoring the UFU’s proposal sent five months ago to resolve it.
Firefighters are also being failed. More than 60% of fire trucks are beyond their service life, leaving crews responding in unsafe, unreliable appliances.
The West Gate Tunnel has been approved to open without emergency scenario drills, without clear response plans, and without firefighters even knowing if their radios will work inside the tunnel.
This is why FRV executives — Commissioner Gavin Freeman, Executive Secretary Tony Matthews and the Acting Executive Director — received a 90.85% vote of no confidence from their workforce.
Premier Jacinta Allan and Minister Vicki Ward have allowed this to happen.
Firefighters and the Victorian community deserve better.