The former acting chair of the CFA has called on the Victorian government not to push through a contentious pay deal while there's no volunteer representation on the new board.
The state government sacked the CFA board 10 days ago after it refused to back a pay deal with the professional firefighters' union.
Former CFA acting chair John Peberdy says it would be "very poor form" for Labor to push through the deal before four volunteer association members are appointed to the new nine-person board.
"At the moment we have five board members of a board of nine," Mr Peberdy told 3AW on Monday.
"The four that are not there are the volunteer association members and I would hope the agreement doesn't get signed before the board has its volunteer association members.
"That would be very, very poor form for the government to push it through when there are no volunteers on the board."
New Emergency Services Minister James Merlino appointed a new board on Friday led by former Fair Work commissioner Greg Smith.
Volunteers will choose four more members to add to the five Mr Merlino appointed but the board can legally operate as it stands.
Volunteers won a Supreme Court injunction stopping the CFA board from putting the enterprise agreement with the United Firefighters Union to a vote before Wednesday.
The parties were also ordered to meet on Monday to discuss the deal.
Mr Peberdy has praised former CFA chief executive Lucinda Nolan and former emergency services minister Jane Garrett, who both resigned rather than back the pay deal.
Ms Nolan was an "excellent" chief executive, he said on Monday, while Ms Garrett was a "very impressive" minister.
Mr Peberdy fears the ongoing dispute could lead to "class wars" between professional and volunteer firefighters which "would put people's lives in danger".
Share
