Stawell board member Mick Nunweek said the board met on Friday afternoon to discuss the way forward after Victorian Emergency Services Minister Jane Garrett resigned on Friday morning.

Ms Garrett was opposed to the government’s proposed deal with the firefighters union because she believed it undermined authority volunteers and management.

The United Firefighters Union wanted the authority board to sign a new agreement, but the board believed certain clauses were unlawful and would give the union veto power over resources and staff.

After Ms Garrett’s resignation on Friday, new Emergency Services Minister James Merlino gave the authority board until Friday night to accept the deal.

Mr Nunweek said the deal outcome was still unknown, but the Volunteer Fire Brigades Victoria board and authority volunteers were hurting.

“We are absolutely disgusted and disappointed with the premier’s actions on Friday morning, enforcing the resignation of Jane Garrett,” he said.

“She was one of the best emergency services ministers that group and the CFA have worked with, and she had a genuine interest in volunteers.

“The premier is saying the agreement won’t affect volunteers.

”But the premier, the government and Fair Work Australia have not asked or consulted the volunteers.

“We just cannot understand how they could possibly make an informed decision without that consultation.

“Our board will keep working to get a decision that benefits our volunteers, and we’ll hopefully be heard by the premier.”