Australian Workers Union (AWU) members will rally to raise awareness on Wednesday about a gender pay gap for female forest firefighters, pay disparity between departments, and unreliable vehicles.
AWU reported that analysis of Victorian Public Service data shows Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) has allowed the gender pay gap for female forest firefighters to almost triple over four years, with women missing out on $4255 in pay increases.
"The data shows female forest firefighters received only $3781 in pay increases between 2019 and 2023, missing out on $4255 compared to the $8036 increase in the male median salary," a spokesperson said.
"The gender pay gap for (Forest Fire Management Victoria) FFMV/DEECA field staff surged from 3.4 per cent in 2019 to 9.5 per cent in 2023 under DEECA's watch, with female firefighters earning a median salary of $58,787 compared to the male median of $64,966, a gap of $6179."
AWU Victorian branch president and lead country organiser Ross Kenna said the widening pay gap was another damning example of how DEECA was failing its workforce.
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"These women are doing the same dangerous work, facing the same fires, risking their lives to protect communities, yet DEECA has allowed a pay gap to blow out considerably," Mr Kenna said.
"Four years ago, the gap was $1924. Today it's $6179. This department has overseen the gap nearly triple on their watch.
"While DEECA drags its feet on fair pay for all forest firefighters, women in this workforce have been left even further behind.
"The department needs to fix this."
The union is also pushing for pay parity to lift DECCA wages to that of Parks Victoria staff.
"Our members are seeking pay equalisation with Parks Victoria workers who perform substantially the same work.
"Currently, equivalent PV employees receive pay rates between six per cent and 14 per cent higher than FFMV employees at DEECA for doing essentially the same job.
"After achieving pay equalisation in the first year, we're then seeking to align with the standard government wages policy of 3 per cent annual increases in subsequent years.
"This isn't about asking for excessive pay rises, it's about fairness and equal pay for equal work across government agencies."
As a third string to the bow, the AWU is calling for reliable equipment as it reports that 290 G-Wagons and 59 Unimogs have been taken offline due to chassis and subframe faults, just weeks before the start of fire season.
AWU Victorian secretary Ronnie Hayden said the timing of the vehicle crisis made the pay dispute even more unconscionable.
"The entire G-Wagon fleet is grounded with structural faults, fire season is bearing down on us, and the government still won't pay these workers what they're worth," Mr Hayden said.
"This is a damning indictment of how this state values its emergency services workers.
"Broken promises, broken vehicles, and workers left to carry the burden."
The rally begins at 11.30am, marching from Melbourne's Trades Hall to Parliament House.
