The history of the United Firefighters Union (UFU) in Queensland is an unusual and inspiring story. In an era of large amalgamated unions it remains a small union, servicing the special needs of firefighters and at a time when only 20 percent of Australian workers belong to a trade union the UFU still commands the loyalty of virtually all Queensland firefighters. While most Australian unions have been in existence since at least the early twentieth century the UFU was only registered in Queensland in 1976. Prior to this date, firefighters belonged to the Australian Workers Union. They only secured their own union after a bitter four-year dispute in Rockhampton that involved the dismissal and eventual reinstatement of that city’s UFU firefighters. If the UFU is an unusual union then firefighters are also atypical unionists. Most of their working lives are spent carrying out routine training drills. But, at any moment, this routine can be interrupted by a ‘call-out’ where they can be exposed to mayhem and traumatic death. Fire fighting demands the highest levels of physical fitness, experience and courage. It also requires the capacity to behave, in all circumstances, as a team member rather than as an individual. While a sense of ‘mateship’ is common in most jobs the dangers inherent in fire fighting create special bonds. Such bonds have created a unique, tightly-knit workforce whose solidarity is reflected in their union.

Table of Contents:
Firefighters and Fire Fighting: An Historical Overview The British traditionBrisbane’s great fire and a system of fire brigadesThe slow march towards professionalism Queensland Firefighters and the AWU, 1917-1962 Joining the ‘fighting’ AWU: early achievement, 1917-1937Disillusionment: the first breakaway attempt, 1937-1951Renewing the battle: the second breakaway attemptUFU Branch established, 1960-1962 Leaving the AWU, 1962-1970 The UFU: a real alternativeMaintaining support, 1967-1968The battle for industrial recognition, 1968-1969Firefighters and officers part ways, 1969-1970 The Rockhampton dispute and state registration, 1970-1976 The situation in RockhamptonThe dismissal of Rockhampton’s UFU firefightersTo the courtsAn old Chev: Rockhampton 1970-1974Industrial gains, 1971-1975Victory in Rockhampton, 1973-1975Registration and final hurdles, 1974-1976 New challenges and old legacies, 1976-1987 New challenges‘We’re still basically amateurs’New divisions and old legaciesReformationAmalgamation Achievement and division, 1987-1996 A new fire service: Better equipped and safer?New wages system, 1987-1991Internal rifts and union restructuring, 1988-1992Final battle with the AWU, 1993-1994Workplace reform and new leaderships, 1994-1996 New directions and challenges, 1996-2008 Transformation of the fire serviceEnterprise bargainingUnion stability and renewal‘A festering sore’: the battle for safe crewingAuxiliary firefightersInternational solidarity and the campaign for firefighter safety Conclusion Appendix A - List of Sacked UFU Firefighters at Rockhampton, 1970-1974Notes on SourcesIndex