Firies @FBEU warn of cutbacks @BarryOFarrell ahead of #IRC hearing | #Ausunions #Ausmedia
Firies warn of cutbacks ahead of hearing
AAP
Firefighters will face the NSW government in the Industrial Relations Commission over proposed budget cuts.
Fire Brigade Employees Union (FBEU) NSW secretary Jim Casey says up to eight stations in Sydney are likely to be temporarily shut down in the year ahead, as staff regularly fill gaps at other stations.
“These cuts are going to go extremely deep. No one’s safe,” Mr Casey told ABC Radio on Monday.
He says the government wants to backfill country stations with casual firefighters.
Advertisement“The issue in the country is going to be the response times blowing out,” he said.
The union says the state government is planning to find $70 million in savings in Fire and Rescue NSW’s budget.
Emergency Services Minister Michael Gallacher says firefighters’ overtime was $7 million over budget last year.
FBEU NSW president Darin Sullivan says the union is prepared to fight the cuts with industrial action.
The case before Justice Frances Backman begins on Monday at 9.30am (AEST).
© 2012 AAP
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