WA firefighters turn backs on minister in tense rally on steps of parliament
Industrial Relations Minister Bill Johnston was met with anger and jeers as he addressed a firefighter union rally over pay and conditions outside parliament on Thursday.
The rally was the latest in a series of ongoing battles between the McGowan government and frontline work forces as it digs in on a public sector-wide pay offer of $3130 or 3 per cent per annum, plus a one-off cost of living payment of $3000.
Firefighters turned their backs on Industrial Relations Minister Bill Johnston at a rally on Wednesday.Credit: Hamish Hastie
The union is seeking a 5 per cent wage increase over two years, improvements in superannuation and an increase in permanent career fighters across the state.
Johnston addressed the crowd of about 400 firefighters and members of other unions, but was met with anger as he began listing the other WA unions that had already accepted the offer.
The crowd turned their backs to him as he defended the offer.
When he threatened to take the pay dispute to arbitration in front of the industrial umpire if the union did not want to negotiate the jeered and chanted.
“I want to make it clear that we’ll continue to negotiate with the union with respect, regardless of how I am treated. I treat firefighters with respect,” he said.
“I don’t care if people don’t show me respect because that’s not the way I behave.
“I’m from the Labor Party and I believe in compulsory arbitration, and I’m prepared to take this these matters to arbitration if that’s what the union wants to do.”
Union president Clem Chan blasted Johnston after his address.
“Are they really suggesting they’re going to drag us into arbitration? That’s a great look from a Labor government isn’t it?” he said.
Earlier in the rally firefighter of 30 years Cian Evans, who was undergoing chemotherapy for cancer caused by his job, addressed the rally with an impassioned speech urging the government to provide more support to the state’s career firies.
Bill Johnston said he would take pay negotiations to compulsory arbitration if necessary.Credit: Hamish Hastie
“I stand here currently undergoing chemotherapy, post colorectal cancer surgery for which the cause is attributed to my 30 years of service,” he said.
“[Firefighters] deserve not only our gratitude and our admiration, but they also deserve tangible support.
“It is imperative we recognise the vital role of firefighters and demand greater respect and support from this government.”
Former career firefighter and current opposition emergency services spokesman Martin Aldridge also addressed the rally.
“I stand with you in your fight for a better deal from this government. A government that just delivered its fourth consecutive multi-billion dollar surplus, $4.2 billion to be precise,” he said.
“The government at the same time tells firefighters and the public sector they cannot afford more.
“A parliament that is dominated by Labor MPs and no doubt you’re represented by one of them, but where are they today?”
Johnston told the crowd he was proud to recently have introduced presumptive legislation to support firefighters affected by PTSD and that the government is continuing to talk to the union about expanding the range of cancers covered by presumptive legislation.
The government is also locked in pay disputes with nurses, police and prison officers who have all rejected the current pay offer.