Ports of Auckland Dispute The Maritime Union and the Council of Trade Unions have released a fact sheet on the Ports of Auckland dispute. Click here to read the fact sheet

2012 National Rugby & Netball

Tournament

Host: Northland Fire Brigades Sports Club
Where: Kerikeri, Bay of Islands, New Zealand
When: 7th & 8th September 2012

Mark Gummer is the point of contact and he would like to hear from all team managers to gauge interest urgently:

Mark Gummer
Chairman
Northland Fire Brigades Sports Club
Phone: (027) 485-3901
Email: mark.gummer@fire.org.nz

Get Involved in the Hutt City Games!

The 2012 Australasian Police and Emergency Services Games run from March 2-9 and there is something for everyone with 41 sports on offer. Volunteer and career firefighters are eligible to compete and there will be good competition for participants of all skill levels and ages. Other agencies involved in the Games include Police, Customs, Corrections, Fisheries, St John, Wellington Free Ambulance and Aviation Security. There is a strong contingent from Australia coming across for the Games. For the first time ever, a Trans-Tasman clash will take place in 6 sports on the final day of competition. There is plenty to do and see in the Hutt and a spectacular closing ceremony has been planned which all competitors will receive a ticket to.

For more details, and to register for your sport, check out the Games website www.apandesgames.com.

Sports registrations close on February 2, so get in quick!

Collective Agreement Negotiations

Further to Newsletter to Members - 12 January 2012, attached is self explanatory correspondence between the Union and Fire Service Management:

1. E-mail from Janine Hearn of 17 January 2012

2. E-mail reply from the Union of 17 January 2012

3. E-mail from Janine Hearn of 18 January 2012

4. E-mail reply from the Union of 18 January 2012

Members will be updated when the Fire Service Management’s reply is received.

Collective Agreement Negotiations

Attached is self explanatory correspondence between the Union and Fire Service Management.

1. E-mail from Janine Hearn with attachment of 10 January 2012
2. E-mail reply from the Union of 12 January 2012

Members will be updated when the Fire Service Management’s reply is received.

Collective Agreement Negotiations

Further to Newsletter No. 47 – 14 December 2011.

The Union has received the formal offer from the employer. However, the offer is significantly different from that the employer was proposing at the bargaining table. As well, there are many questions, points of clarification and omissions in the employer’s proposal to substantially resolve the Relieving Clauses.

The Union sees it as essential (particularly with the present large number of problems being experienced by Relievers) that an expansion of relieving needs quite clear, unambiguous and specific conditions regarding relieving so as to avoid future disputes.

Principle elements of the employer’s offer include:

• 2.7% increase in Wages & Allowances from date of settlement (proposed to be 31 December 2011)
• A further 1.5% on Wages & Allowances from 1 July 2012.
• Collective Agreement to expire 31 December 2012.
• Significant re-write of Relieving Provisions with an expected consequent significant increase in the number of Relievers.
• Lump Sum payment of $1,200 for every Union member employed at the date of settlement (proposed to be 31 December 2011).
  
  This $1,200 is in lieu of any increase in Wages & Allowances for 2011.

As the Union predicted in Newsletter No. 47 – 14 December, the Union is of the firm view that at least a further bargaining meeting (held with the assistance of a Labour Department Mediator) is necessary for the Union to obtain answers to the many questions members will understandably have regarding the new Relieving positions.

The employer has however required the Union to accept the offer by 31 December 2011 (subject to ratification) otherwise it would disappear.

Consequently the Union has written to the employer advising them that the Union is not in a position to either reject or accept the offer by 31 December 2011 and advising that at least a further bargaining meeting is necessary.
Copy available for download here.

Members will be advised of the employer’s response when received.
Copy of employer’s offer available for download here.

Industrial Action

The Union has filed a new Notice of Strike Action, which adds to the existing action:

• A ban on the training of the Recruits to be engaged in Recruits Course RCTPH 1201.

Copies of Strike Notices available here.

Downloads

• NZFS Settlement Proposal
• Letter to Employer
• Notice of Strike Action
• Notice of Strike Action (Communication Centres)