Prescribed burns to continue in South West after firefighting industrial action concludes with new offer
The State's bush firefighters have accepted a new pay offer with members to return to work on prescribed burns and load management in regional areas.
Australian Workers' Union and Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions delegates met in Bunbury last week to endorse the agreement to allow more inclusive time off and better pay.
It comes after shadow minister for forestry and Warren-Blackwood MLA Bevan Eatts raised concerns about 150 preventative burns would be impacted by industrial action, and he is also pushing for better fire management strategies in the regions.
'I understand why these workers are taking a stand. They're on the frontline of our fire seasons and deserve both respect and resources,' he said.
'I'm committed to working with government, local brigades, forest managers and environmental groups to get this right.
'We need a regional fire strategy that values local input and takes account of environmental as well as community risk.'
The bush firefighters undertake controlled prescribed burns and are responsible for frontline bushfire management outside of the metropolitan area.
Industrial action was paused on May 8 once the negotiations were nearing conclusion, with workers to return to work for good now the agreement has been accepted.
AWU WA branch president Andy Hacking said the crews worked 'work long hours in dangerous conditions' with the landmark pay offer constituting a 'substantial and meaningful increase to their base rate of pay'.
'This new offer means that our members are able to return to undertaking their vital work of prescribed burns and load management to keep our regional communities safe,' he said.
'The AWU's members and delegates from across WA including Manjimup, Margaret River, Busselton, Kirup, Nannup, Collie, Walpole and surrounding areas have strongly endorsed this new enterprise bargaining agreement.'
A DBCA spokesperson said with negotiations now settled, prescribed burning would take place when it was safe to do so.
'DBCA values the work of its 344 AWU-represented frontline bush firefighting staff,' they said.
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