NSW firefighters are raising the alarm on their stagnating wages and poor working conditions by chalking up their trucks with messages asking the state government to properly value their lifesaving work.
Photos of the chalked up trucks are being shared across social media.
On one reddit thread people are commenting that, “for people who willingly run towards potential death those figures need to be higher,” with others replying, “I know sales people who are on more.”
One commenter said, “as a garbo I’m on a high station officers wage and my life is less at risk than those on the outside of the truck,” with most commenters agreeing.
“This is actually disgusting,” wrote one.
These actions are part of a campaign run by the Fire Brigade Employees’ Union (FBEU) which is trying to secure NSW firefighters a 20 per cent pay increase over three years.
To raise awareness about the campaign the union has asked its members to chalk up their trucks, wear campaign t-shirts and come along to protests.
FBEU State Secretary and firefighter Leighton Drury said NSW firefighters are having to work a second job or lots of overtime in order to make ends meet in a cost-of-living crisis.
“Our newer firefighters are having to buy homes outside of Sydney because they’ve been priced out of the city,” Mr Drury said.
“This then adds to their cost-of-living with travel; having to pay for petrol as well as their quality of life as they are having to spend more time away from home.
“These things add up.”
As well as a pay increase, the FBEU is campaigning to improve workers compensation legislation specific to firefighters’ exposure to cancer.
“The campaign that we’re running is giving firefighters hope about having better wages and conditions,” Mr Drury said.
Despite many current firefighters holding onto hope for a better future, the union says attracting and retaining new firefighters is becoming increasingly difficult.
“We saw a significant drop in numbers applying for jobs in our permanent ranks last year,” Mr Drury said.
“It’s normally around the 6000 mark and it was down to just over 3000 people applying in 2023,” he said.
Firefighters wages have been stagnating alongside other public servants since the NSW government legislated a wages cap in 2012; restricting the growth of wages to no more than 2 per cent each year for 10 years.
In 2021 firefighters’ wages increased by 0.3 per cent.
“Wages have absolutely been going backwards in regards to cost-of-living and inflation,” Mr Drury said.
As of June 2023 a qualified firefighter’s weekly full-time pay rate is $1429.66, which makes their taxable annual income just under $75,000.
Following an Industrial Relations Committee hearing held on April 11, the FBEU commenced discussions with Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW), which offered them a one-year deal for the 2024 Award.
In response the FBEU asked for a 10 per cent increase for 2024, and says it is still waiting to hear back from FRNSW before going to its members with the offer.