News

Members will be aware of the Chief Executive’s recent whole country e-mail regarding Hours of Work.

On 21 October 2004 the Union presented a written submission on the above Bill to the Transport and Industrial Relations Committee (copy attached).

Interview Panels

The Union’s position on members’ involvement on Interview Panels for appointment to positions covered by the Collective Agreement was outlined in Newsletter 3/2002.

Members are advised that Arapawa Regional Management have recommended the amalgamation of the Wellington North and South Districts to occur, subject to Commission approval, on 1 December 2004.

Members should be aware that during the last month or so, P.C.A. training runs through the course, either at Mt Wellington or Takapuna, have not been carried out as regularly as they were previously in the summer months.

The Working Party is making good progress on finalizing the details of a changed training and progression system.

Some members are being approached by District management seeking their involvement with a 360 Review of that management.

Conference Remits

Members are asked to consider and submit remits for the National conference to the Local Secretary (address details on header) by 14 September 2004.

Remits will be tabled at the Wellington AGM (date and location TBA) for ratification and submission to the National Conference in November.

The Local has become aware of some District management people asking Union members to fill out a 360 degree feedback review on them.

Members are reminded that there was a recommendation from the National Union to Union members not to partake in any such feedback process.

Recently the Wellington Local has become aware that a member agreed to act in the capacity of a Station Officer pursuant to Section 66 despite not holding the Station Officers qualification.

A.S.L’s

Members are advised of a request by the district CFO ofWellington South. He requires indication of when members intend to take their ASL’s, in particular those members who have more than 6 ASL’s accumulated.

This is apparently a budgetary issue and members are advised that they can be instructed to take their leave as per the collective. Strictly speaking, ASL’s should be treated as annual leave and have historically been allowed to be accumulated by agreement with CFO’s.

3% Pay Increase

Members are reminded of the 3% increase on and from 1 July 2004, as delivered through the NZPFU Collective Agreement.