Members would be aware of the advertisements in today’s In Orders 2010/18 for the Duty Commander, Regional West 1 vacancy at Dubbo and the Duty Commander, Regional South 3 vacancy at Wagga Wagga, both of which invite applications “from officers holding the rank of Inspector and or Station Officer”.

Both items then go on to advise that “If the successful applicant is a Station Officer, they will receive an appropriate level of training and mentoring to support the necessary qualification to enable them to undertake the position leading up to the next available Inspectors Promotional Program (IPP).”

The Department’s intention to allow Station Officers who have not completed the Inspectors Promotional Program (IPP) to fill Duty Commander positions is in clear breach of both Clauses 7 and 13 of the Award, as well as its own Standing Orders for filling such vacancies. It also undermines and devalues the roles, responsibilities, qualifications and standing of all existing NSWFB Inspectors.

The Union made its objection to the publication of these items clear enough, but the Department decided to publish today regardless. The Union this afternoon listed the dispute with the IRC. The Union’s State Executive and SOSB Secretary also met this afternoon and resolved to commence appropriate industrial action.

Accordingly, all Duty Commander members are hereby instructed that with the exception of: