The NZPFU has provided all necessary information to FENZ for the reimbursement of the NZPFU Protect Income Protection Insurance premiums paid directly to the NZPFU insurance account between 1 July 2023 and 3 June 2024 (when FENZ commenced direct payment to Protect). Members in the NZPFU Protect Income Protection scheme do not need to do anything further. We are waiting for FENZ to confirm when the reimbursement will be made to the bank account you receive your wages.
The NZPFU and FENZ were supposed to be bargaining today and yesterday but spent the time negotiating terms of a Bargaining Process
Agreement. The parties had met in mediation on Friday to try and settle the BPA and kept working on outstanding issues this week.
Last night at approximately 6pm the parties had worked through almost all issues. The Union recorded and read out to the parties the three
issues of work that was to be done by FENZ overnight for completion today which was agreed by everyone in the room. FENZ did not state they
had other issues to revisit.
Important updates for members on Code of Conduct, Kiwisaver deductions and overtime on public holidays remuneration, Bargaining and Annual General Meetings.
The NZPFU has instructed specialist legal support for advice on the Kiwisaver employer compulsory contributions issue.
The NZPFU will shortly be providing FENZ with the list of NZPFU members who signed up to the NZPFU Protect Income Protection Insurance for the reimbursement of premiums.
On Tuesday FENZ Workplace Relations Manager Michael Stevenson informed the NZPFU that FENZ had self-reported to IRD its failure to pay the 3% compulsory contribution to employees who have Kiwisaver and other non-complying superannuation scheme such as FireSuper. FENZ had been paying the employer contribution into FireSuper but not the compulsory contribution to the Kiwi Saver Account. We were informed 592 NZPFU members were affected and for all affected staff about $8-$10 million was owing over four years.
Our members serve their communities to protect and preserve life, property and the environment. NZPFU representatives are based on all career fire stations. There are also 19 Union Locals in the major metropolitan and principal centres where career firefighters are employed.
