MFB tries to stop firies logging into social sites like Facebook for more than an hour a day FIREFIGHTERS are fighting for the right to use Facebook for more than an hour a day in a bitter battle at the Fair Work Commission. The Metropolitan Fire Brigade has attempted to ban firefighters from logging onto social media on the Internet. Talks failed and the dispute ended up at the tribunal today. United Firefighters Union secretary Peter Marshall backed the firefighters grievance. He said the argument was not about social media but rather community safety. "This is not about logging on to Facebook willy nilly, it's about having access to vital information," he said from America where he was attending a firefighters' funeral. This has only come about because of the Napthine Government's funding cuts. The union is currently locked in discussions with the MFB about a new pay deal. The agreement is expected to be a hard fought battle. The MFB first revealed its offer to the media earlier this year before consulting the union. The MFB confirmed the Fair Work hearing was about an attempt to limit access to the Internet to one hour a day, including social media sites. Further comment is being sought.