History of the United Firefighters Union of Australia

The turning point was another High Court decision 13 years later in 1983, when a judgement delivered by Justice Brennan on behalf of the Full Court, reversed the earlier ruling on what constituted an industry and an industrial dispute. (The Queen v Coldham; ex parte Australian Social Welfare Union). The decision gave members of state firefighting unions the impetus to continue the push for national registration but also marked the start of a battle with other unions desperate for increased membership. Over five years, hundreds of meetings were held across the country at a time when union amalgamation was a national issue and a critical factor if unions were survive as viable organisations with the power to represent workers’ rights. In 1988, the Federal Firefighters Union (FFU) lodged a new application seeking to be registered under the name of the United Firefighters Union of Australia. FFU members were employed at airports and as such were regarded as federal employees which in turn allowed for the FFU to be registered at a national level. There were 36 objectors including employers and other unions. Organisers Mick Doyle and Rod Knowles traversed the country speaking to each of the objectors. They succeeded in convincing all but one to drop their objections. On August 1, 1990, the United Firefighters Union of Australia became an official national union representing more than 11,000 Australian firefighters. The inaugural meeting of the UFUA was held the same month and officially opened by the then Premier of Tasmania, Michael Field. Mr Field spoke of the significant achievement for all Australian firefighters and the need for co-operation between government bodies and unions. The first National President was Rod Knowles and the National secretary was Mick Doyle. Mr Doyle is now a Commissioner with the South Australian Industrial Relations Commission. Rod Knowles is retired but remains involved with the union.