BULLETIN

Bulletin No:         146                                     Volume:  21                        Thursday 30 July 2015

TO ALL UFU MEMBERS

 CFA AND MFB OPERATIONAL STAFF PROTECTED INDUSTRIAL ACTION BALLOTS TO COMMENCE

IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING BALLOT TIMETABLE

On Tuesday members were advised via bulletin that the Fair Work Commission (FWC) would shortly be issuing orders sought by the UFU. The Commission has now formally issued orders after accepting the UFU’s applications.

Furthermore the Australian Electoral Commission has contacted the parties and is arranging for the protected action ballot to commence. Voting will be conducted by the AEC via a postal vote and members will have a ballot paper sent to their home.

The ballots will consist of 1 question which can be voted either ‘yes’ or ‘no’. Voting yes will count as support for the taking of protected industrial action, voting no will count as opposition.

The ballot will also describe the protected industrial action, and this information is also available via your shop steward.

As with all protected industrial action ballots, voting will be essential if members want to have their voice count. To be approved via the balloting process, the ballot must be returned by at least 50% +1 of those employees eligible to vote, and must be voted in favour by a majority.

The AEC has provided a timetable for the ballots and important information for members has been extracted and pasted below. The timetable is identical for the MFB and CFA ballots.

Further information will be provided as the ballot process continues.

Ballot Timetable:

3 August 2015                AEC arranges with employer to place Ballot Agent’s notice in prominent locations at workplace by 4:00pm. Reg. 3.13 refers.

7 August 2015                Ballot opens – AEC posts ballot material to eligible voters.

21 August 2015                Ballot Closes 10:00am. AEC counts ballot and advises parties of the result. Returning Officer declares results to FWC and informs parties

26 August 2015                Date that ballot is to be completed by (as contained in the orders).

Strength in Unity

READ OUT AT MUSTER AND PIN ON NOTICE BOARD

Authorised by Peter Marshall, Branch Secretary