As members would be aware, the Joint Emergency Services Unions Committee was formed recently to deal with the State Government's proposal to modify the ESSS superannuation scheme from an untaxed to a taxed scheme.
With the combined action of The Police Association, Ambulance Employees Association and United Firefighter Union delegates, we were able to ensure that the impact of the taxed proposal on the ESSS scheme did not result in any detriment to our members.
We have recently been informed that the State Government intends to merge ESSS into the GSO scheme (a closed public sector defined benefits scheme).
 It is clear that the State Government had previously made this decision, but did not inform the unions at any stage during the resolution of the earlier dispute.
As a result, the Joint Emergency Services Unions have demanded all relevant documentation regarding the decision to merge the schemes, as well as financial implications of such a merger if it was to proceed.
The major concerns of the Joint Emergency Services Unions are as follows:
1. ESSS was formulated to ensure that there was a superannuation scheme that reflected the special needs of emergency services workers
2. Loss of identity for the ESSS, as the merger effectively combines ESSS membership of approximately 20,000 members with the GSO membership of 141,000 members.
3. Loss of the effective union representation that we currently have on the ESSS Board, necessary to ensure the level of service and input to our members, due to the formation of a new board.
4. Inheritance of substantial financial liability as the merger will result in ESSS becoming an unfunded superannuation scheme, as opposed to its current status where it is fully funded.
5. The possible future closure of ESSS to new members, as the merger of ESSS and GSO will result in an unfunded scheme with substantial liabilities.
Please note that ESSS is the only public sector defined benefit scheme left, that has not been closed off to new members. The manner in which Minister Lender's office has handled this proposal is of a serious concern to the three unions.
Our three unions will be holding an urgent meeting as the government intends to progress this proposal in the spring session of parliament. A further update will follow shortly.
      
Paul Mullett                            Peter Marshall                       Steve McGhie
Secretary                               Secretary                              Secretary
The Police Association            United Firefighters                  Union Ambulance Employees Union