Vic: Firefighters protest against disciplinary process
MELBOURNE, April 1 AAP - Up to 400 firefighters are expected to protest against theMetropolitan Fire Brigade's (MFB) internal disciplinary process at a rally in Melbournetoday.
United Firefighters' Union Victorian secretary Peter Marshall said the internal processwas unfair, biased and was used to intimidate union members.
Five firefighters are currently facing MFB disciplinary charges.
Mr Marshall said the charges related to using private email, refusing to take downan allegedly offensive sign and an altercation between two firefighters.
He said the MFB charged the firefighters without first investigating the complaintsor considering counselling procedures.
"They are trying to assert MFB control of the workplace through fear - these tacticswent out in the early 1900s," he said.
Mr Marshall said two of the firefighters charged were on stress leave.
"The charges are very stressful because people can be reprimanded or dismissed andthey are not fair at all," he said.
Mr Marshall said a hearing had been scheduled at the Australian Industrial RelationsCommission tomorrow to challenge the disciplinary process.
Today's rally will be held at 11am (AEST) outside the East Melbourne fire station.
Comment was being sought from the MFB.
AAP jt/ce/ge/bwl
KEYWORD: FIREFIGHTERS
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