Fire Service Attempts to Shift Blame

for Abhorrent Treatment of Staff

With this Notice is a link to correspondence received by the Union from Janine Hearn, Director of Human Resources. Also a reply sent by Derek Best, Secretary of the Union.

This correspondence refers to the Fire Service’s stopping of light duties to injured employees from the start of the strike action.

Members will remember that the Union published the Human Resources Notice to Managers, as part of a Notice to Members No. 33 – 2 August 2011 (email Notice No. 42), at the start of the strike. This Notice told managers that they should cease all light or alternate duties for injured and/or sick staff under their control.

Managers at the time were very prompt at complying with this instruction.

Since that time the Union has been trying to ascertain from ACC whether or not the Fire Service could do this. It was apparent to the Union that this action would prevent firefighters from achieving their return to work goals set in conjunction with the Injury Management Unit.

After some time, and with the specific help of the Invercargill Local of the Union, it would appear that the Fire Service have been contacted by ACC and this is why they are now writing to the Union to seek to change their stance.

It is amazing that they are now trying to shift the blame for their abhorrent treatment of their staff to the Union.

This is exactly the reason that there has been no resolution to the current industrial action and no settlement of the CEA.

The Fire Service simply puts everything they can in the way of achieving a settlement.

• Download correspondence from Janine Hearn

• Download reply by Derek Best

Ports of Auckland Dispute

The Maritime Union and the Council of Trade Unions have released a fact sheet on the Ports of Auckland dispute. Port of Auckland Dispute Fact Sheet Support Auckland Port Workers Newsletter Save Our Port.com

Collective Agreement

Further to previous Newsletters and included various correspondence between the parties – further mediation/negotiations have been confirmed for 9 February 2012.

Initially 2 February was to be the date, but Paul Baxter advised of his unavailability on that date, but has advised he is available on 9 February.

Members will be updated subsequent to the meeting, on any developments.

Cancers in Firefighters/Occupational

Diseases

Locals have been asked to collect and forward details of members and ex members who have suffered any sort of cancer event (over the past 10 years).

If you have knowledge of any such matter, please provide details to your Local Secretary. Thank you.

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

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)