October 21, 2011 – 3:29PM –>

AAP

The NSW Industrial Relations Commission has ordered the union representing firefighters to lift a work ban, saying it could cost taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars.

The IRC delivered its ruling to the Fire Brigade Employees Union (FBEU) on Friday after it imposed bans on Thursday, Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) said.

“I remain prepared to meet with the FBEU as soon as they comply with the orders of the IRC,” FRNSW Commissioner Greg Mullins said in a statement.

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“Hopefully we can very soon get back to business as usual.”

The work bans were on all relieving, paperwork and administrative duties, FRNSW said.

Mr Mullins said the safety of the community was not put at risk by the bans, which saw reduced crews at a number of Sydney fire stations on Thursday night.

“Our main priority is the safety of the people of NSW and our firefighters,” he said.

“We had plans in place to ensure there were sufficient fire and rescue resources available to respond to all fires and other emergencies.”

However, FBEU state secretary Jim Casey said he was “extremely concerned” about the safety of both firefighters and the public.

He denied that the bans caused the staff shortages and blamed FRNSW for escalating the situation.

“The bans that were put in place do not require this to happen, the department has chosen to escalate the situation,” Mr Casey told AAP on Friday.

“There is going to be less fire engines available to emergencies tonight and that means that the community is going to be at risk.”

The dispute is over staffing issues, particularly light duties positions for injured firefighters.

Mr Casey said the union won’t lift the bans unless FRNSW sticks to the existing agreement.

NSW Police and Emergency Services Minister Mike Gallacher has urged the union to discuss the issue with Mr Mullins.

“I urge members of the union to sit down with the commissioner, to sit down with the commissioner today,” Mr Gallacher told reporters in Sydney on Friday.

© 2011 AAP
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