NT firefighters have commenced protected industrial action after strained negotiations with the NT Government on a new enterprise agreement, the United Workers Union said, amid claims the latest offer does not adequately address unsafe staffing levels and inadequate resourcing.

The UWU said Territory firefighters voted in favour of industrial action due to the stalled negotiations and growing anger over the government’s “failure to recognise the realities of frontline emergency work”.

“Firefighters have repeatedly raised concerns about unsafe staffing levels, inadequate resourcing, and an offer that does not reflect the increasing demands placed on the NT Fire and Rescue Service Despite this, key issues remain unresolved, and members say they have been left with no choice but to escalate,” UWU NT secretary Erina Early said.

The UWU previously said the dispute also concerns occupational cancer protections, which it said are vital to firefighters’ health and safety.

Following the notice of the protected action, the Office of the Commissioner for Public Employment moved on Wednesday to put the government’s latest offer out to a vote, which Ms Early said was designed to avoid “genuine engagement”.

“Putting a substandard agreement to a vote is not negotiation, it’s an attempt to sidestep the issues firefighters have been raising for months. Our firefighters are united, they are angry, and they are determined to fight for a fair deal,” Ms Early said.

“Firefighters put their lives on the line for the Territory, and they deserve an agreement that respects that, not one that ignores the risks and sacrifices of the job.”

The initial phase of protected industrial action commenced at 8 am Friday, but it was unclear what that entailed specifically.

The union representing firefighters are urging the NT Government to return to the negotiation table with a substantial proposal that addresses staffing, safety, and working conditions.

Public Employment Commissioner Nicole Hurwood said last month that NT firefighters were among the best paid in the country, despite the three per cent annual salary increase over four years falling below what police and public servants recently received. She told the NT News the latest offer improved emergency duty rostering to “remove ambiguity and prevent exploitation of multiple call-outs”, clarified higher duty payments, helps with recruitment and addresses critical vacancies.

The union disagreed.

The ballot process for the new offer will close on March 20, with the results of the vote declared later that day.