UFU Victoria

United Firefighters Union of Australia
Victorian Branch

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Corporate Staff Deserve a Fair Deal

Every day, you keep FRV running. You deserve to be recognised for that.

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Corporate and technical staff have kept FRV operating smoothly for the last six years. But a lot has happened in that time, and none of it has been easy. 

Alongside a major merger of two agencies, corporate staff have been asked to deal with numerous events that disrupted work. But you never complained. Not during COVID-19, when you were asked to do your job just as effectively at home with your own technology. Not during a massive cyber attack that caused years of difficulty and saw your personal information posted on the dark web. 

Working for FRV for the last six years has had a personal cost. It’s been a constant period of disruptions with little support from management. There has been no bonuses for keeping things together, no allowances for these extreme changes to work, and no compensation for things like personal data breaches. And that is before considering what stagnating wages have cost you – things like your purchasing power, or lost super contributions.

While you’re doing it tough, the government has nearly doubled the Emergency Services Levy that funds FRV. But, instead of recognising your value, FRV has been spending money on consultants and lawyers to fight your claims. 

None of it adds up, and none of it is how valued employees should be treated. That’s why the UFU is standing firm to secure you an offer that recognises your commitment and the bloody hard work you do.

No wage increase, no recognition, nothing.

LATEST EBA Updates

  • 2 October 2026, 8:00PM: The UFU is pleased to announce that FRV and UFU reached agreement on the new Corporate, Technical & Administrative Agreement.
  • The headline details of the in-principle agreement are contained in the UFU’s presentation at THIS LINK.
  • UFU Workplace Visits on 6 – 8 October: The UFU has released a schedule of FRV Workplace Visits to take place on Tuesday 6 October, Wednesday 7 October and Thursday 8 October. The Workplace Visit schedule is available via UFU Bulletin #182.
  • We understand a third party, who is not a bargaining representative, attended the UFU’s Zoom Members Meeting on 1 October 2026 and is now delivering presentations on the agreement reached between UFU and FRV. He has not been involved in developing one claim, one clause, one comma. He may be able to read a pre-written script, but he was never at the bargaining table.

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Work Stoppages

Right now, UFU members at FRV are legally entitled to engage in protected actions as part of the fight for a fair deal. This includes multiple work bans and approved stoppages.

These stoppages will be taking place every Wednesday and Thursday at the same times. 

On Wednesdays:

  • At 9am, a stoppage of one hour
  • At 10am, a stoppage of two hours
  • At 1pm, a stoppage of four hours 

On Thursdays:

  • At 9am, a stoppage of one hour
  • At 10am, a stoppage of two hours
  • At 1pm, a stoppage of four hours 

If a stoppage is not going ahead, all members will be notified in advance via a bulletin.

Remember: FRV cannot cause a detriment to your employment for taking protected industrial action. Learn more here.

If taking any protected action would endanger the life, safety or welfare of any person, do not take it. If you’re unsure about anything, contact your delegate or the UFU for advice.
Not sure about your rights or this work stoppage? Get in touch with us ASAP.  (Regarding all stoppages listed: see Industrial Action items 1, 2, and 3 (respectively) in the PAB order dated 23 April 2025 in matter B2025/652).

Work bans

Work bans are an effective way for you to make your voice heard. Engaging in bans is one way to pressure FRV to come to the table with an offer that gives you the pay rise – and the conditions – you deserve.

Not sure where to start? Why not…

  • Avoid sending correspondence, including emails… unless they are sent in all caps.  (Ban #4, Tranche 2)
  • Avoid sending any calendar invitations… unless the title is just ‘meeting’.  (Ban #15, Tranche 2)
  • Set up your inbox to automatically copy emails you receive… to the FRV Fire Rescue Commissioner.  (Ban #12, Tranche 1)
Remember: You have a right to engage in protected industrial action, including work bans. Learn more here.

If taking any protected action would endanger the life, safety or welfare of any person, do not take it. If you’re unsure about anything, contact your delegate or the UFU for advice.
Not sure about your rights or a work ban? Get in touch with us ASAP.  

RESOURCES

We want members to feel supported and informed. To that extent, please be aware of the following resources for members: 

We have a growing library of downloadable and printable materials to show your support for a fair deal. Download posters, email banner images and more here.

You need to know your rights before you can exercise them. To support members, we’re compiling information about your rights, the bargaining process, and protected action here. 

Delegates are members – other FRV employees – who’ve stepped up into a leadership role. Delegates can help you understand issues, like workplace bargaining, protected industrial action, and FRV’s offer. Learn about your delegates here.

The UFU is compiling answers to questions on this page. See previously answered questions or submit your own anonymous question. Anyone can submit a question, including non-members.

The union has exclusive deals with businesses – such as BankVic –  who may be able to help in times of financial stress or hardship. UFU members are also entitled to free and confidential counselling. If you are struggling, please contact the union, a delegate, your welfare officer, or even the union secretary, Peter Marshall. See all union contacts and support details here. 

WHEN WE STAND TOGETHER, WE STAND STRONG.

Union membership is 100% tax deductible and all corporate staff can join.
Already a member? Update your details here.

Why join?

The union is made up of members just like you who want to protect their legal rights at work. Only UFU members can take protected industrial action, and the UFU’s legal team can only represent union members in legal disputes. But, most importantly, union members are the ones who shape our campaigns and our work.

Get your colleagues involved

Telling a workmate or friend about why you joined the union is the #1 way to get someone else involved. Every new member of the union means one more person taking action and one more voice in our call for a fair offer.