WHAT’s THE POINT OF TALKING

WITH YOUR LOCAL OPERATIONAL

MANAGEMENT?

A current ongoing dispute in Taupo provides further evidence that Operational Management has lost control, or even input, into Industrial Relations matters.

The last Newsletter NTM No. 14 – detailed the complete dominance of Human Resources in the dispute about the fairness of a minimum payment for pre-arranged call-outs.

In Taupo, the Local Secretary – Mike Powell – had acted diligently and properly in reaching an agreement – albeit verbal – with Taupo’s Acting CFO – John Booth – in regard to allegations against a member of Breach of the Standards of Conduct – the catchall and usually spurious “bringing the Fire Service into disrepute”.

However, when Human Resources – Steven Fraser? – was informed of the agreement, Human Resources directed the agreement did not provide sufficient punishment and that a formal written warning must be given.

Faced with such a directive and regardless of the agreement already reached, the Acting CFO buckled and issued the written warning.

This outcome does raise real concerns about the usefulness of Locals attempting to resolve issues with Local Operational Management.  If agreements reached in good faith are simply overridden by Human Resources, Union officials are entitled to ask – what’s the point?

Without exception, Human Resources have no understanding or appreciation of what it means to be a Firefighter – and neither do they want to. 

Sitting behind their screens in Wellington and immersed in their textbooks of management-speak – their actions are probably not surprising.

What is surprising is the abject surrender to Human Resources by Uniformed Management. 

The struggle for power now seems to be between Human Resources and the newly emerging Fire Risk Management Department, which the Union understands now as well runs all the P.R. functions of the Fire Service.

The draft Discussion Document on Fire Safety restructuring written by Paula Beever – Director, Fire Risk Management - purported to significantly direct the future role of Operational Firefighters:

“As operational staff take up increasing amounts of proactive work….”

Bureaucratic power plays may stoke egos, but members know their role is providing the best services to the communities they serve.  What Firefighters want from the various support services – for that’s what Human Resources and others at National Headquarters are – is to be given the resources and assistance to best serve their communities.

What a disgrace that others in the Fire Service don’t also have this objective.

Payment of Minimum of 3 Hours

for Pre-arranged Callouts

A part of the problem experienced last year in Invercargill was Southern Region management’s refusing to continue to pay a minimum 3 hours for pre-arranged overtime – e.g. for Officer meetings.

The Union believes the practice of paying a minimum of three hours overtime for such meetings is both long standing and widespread around the country. The reason for this is self evident given the inconvenience and cost of returning to work while off duty.

Clause 2.6.10.1 of the C.A. provides the principles when called back to work while off duty.

The Fire Service’s new interpretation of this clause is that it only applies to immediate emergency callouts. 

To the Union, the situation is quite clear-cut and simple.

If the Fire Service wants and expects members to return to work while off duty, they must also expect members to be properly and adequately reimbursed.

Officer meetings etc. are seen as important to the operational efficiency of the Brigade, and to expect members to return to work while off duty without a guaranteed minimum payment is a “head in the sand” attitude.

In discussions at a number of forums with most senior Operational Managers, those Managers have agreed that a minimum payment of 3 hours overtime is both fair and reasonable.  After all, these persons know that this was the arrangement that applied to them when they were on fire appliances.

However, Human Resources have determined otherwise and that no minimum payment will apply.

The issue was discussed in mediation on Wednesday 9 July.  The Union was represented by Steve Warner and Derek Best.

The Fire Service’s sole representative was Steve Fraser, Human Resources Legal Advisor.  Astonishingly, no senior Operational Manager attended the Mediation.

Maybe not so surprisingly – maybe Human Resources couldn’t find a senior Operational Manager prepared to back Human Resources’ stupid decision.

Steven Fraser, at mediation, refused to discuss the implications of no guaranteed minimum payment for pre-arranged overtime – clearly Human Resources (all 13 of them at National Headquarters) have no interest in efficiently managing an operational Brigade and in treating members fairly.

As a consequence of Human Resources’ position, the Union strongly recommends to members:

“Unless a minimum payment of 3 hours overtime is guaranteed for pre-arranged overtime e.g. Officer meetings, members refuse to attend such meetings in off duty time.”

Hamilton Firefighters Trust Established

The New Zealand Professional Firefighters Union has kick-started the Hamilton Firefighters Trust fund with $20,000.

The Union formed the Charitable Trust to receive donations to provide financial support and assistance to the families of those killed or injured at the Tamahere fire.

NZPFU National Secretary Derek Best says that "this is a trust established by firefighters for firefighters". 

"Both the firefighters and their families directly involved in this tragedy will need a wide range of support for many months, and assistance from this trust will be of great help."

The Union established the Trust particularly to provide a formal legal structure to dispense the funds received.  The distribution of funds collected will be determined by those best to know the areas of need – Firefighters in Hamilton.

• Make a Donation to the Hamilton Firefighters Trust

Union Opens On-line Condolence Book

The Union has opened an on-line condolence book.  You can read the entries or send in your own condolence or tribute here.  Alternatively, you may email your messages of condolence directly to

• Click here to enter our online condolence book
• Read On-line Condolences
• Send in your Condolence or Tribute
• Make a Donation to the Hamilton Firefighters Trust

NZPFU Latest Local News Feeds