Vic MFB to consider EBA options

The Victorian coalition government says it's committed to the Metropolitan Fire Brigade and firefighters, amid union criticism of the handling of an industrial dispute.

The Fair Work Commission has ruled against the MFB's application to terminate the current enterprise agreement.

The existing agreement ended last September and negotiations have already lasted more than 18 months.

The United Firefighters Union has criticised the government for supporting the MFB's case.

Union secretary Peter Marshall called for an apology from Emergency Services Minister Kim Wells and for the government to pay legal fees for both parties.

"As they go into caretaker mode today they leave a legacy of wasted MFB funds, and a claim by firefighters to have their legal costs returned," he said on Tuesday.

Mr Wells says the government backed the MFB's independent decision to take its case to the Fair Work Commission, and is strongly committed to the MFB and recognising the critical role firefighters play protecting Victorians.

"The decision to take the termination case to FWC was made independently by the MFB," Mr Wells said.

"This decision was fully supported by the government."

Mr Wells said the MFB was considering Monday's decision.

"MFB will continue to bargain in good faith to secure a fair outcome for Victoria's firefighters and ensure community safety remains paramount," he said.

MFB chief executive Jim Higgins said its objective was to negotiate new agreements to respond to reform from the Black Saturday royal commission.

He said the MFB would review the commission decision and determine a course of action.