THE industrial action by the United Firefighters Union of Australia – Aviation Branch (UFUAV) that was proposed for today, Friday December 9 between 6am-10am, has been averted.
The action included Coffs Harbour Airport.

A statement from Airservices Australia said it has finalised an in-principle, twelve-month enterprise agreement with the union.

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Under the new Agreement, Airservices’ Aviation Rescue Fire Fighting Service (ARFF) will receive a 4.9 percent salary increase.

This consists of a 3 percent increase in line with the Public Sector Interim Workplace Arrangements, and a 1.9 percent increase which would have been available in December 2021.

Airservices Australia CEO Jason Harfield said, “Airservices is pleased to have reached this in-principle agreement with the UFUAV, which puts an end to proposed industrial action next week.

“This new agreement provides certainty for our ARFFs workforce, airlines and the travelling public.

“We commend all involved in reaching this new agreement.”

Aviation firefighters will halt a planned work stoppage on 9 December after reaching an in-principle agreement with their employer, Airservices Australia, which will increase the number of aviation firefighters over time and prevent the shortages we are currently experiencing across Australia’s airports in the future.

Wes Garrett, from the United Firefighters Union of Australia – Aviation Branch, said that this was an incredible win for Australia’s air travellers.

“Our campaign has always been about protecting the safety of Australia’s air travellers,” Mr Garrett said.

“Every time your loved ones and friends board an aircraft in Australia, they deserve fully staffed aviation firefighters to be there to protect them when they need it most.”

Mr Garrett said negotiations have been going on for more than a year.

“Critically, this agreement will eventually deliver aviation firefighter staffing in a manner that’s consistent with international aviation regulations.

“That means Australia’s air travellers will receive the same high standard of aviation firefighting protection that people in other developed countries receive.”

He said the in-principle agreement provides a long-term solution to preventing understaffing in the future but the risk to air travellers remains until Airservices recruits the 100 aviation firefighters that were cut from the service in October 2021.

Mr Garrett said the union will continue to hold Airservices to account to ensure they remedy the aviation firefighter shortage as quickly as possible.

By Andrew VIVIAN