NEWS

In 2007 the NZPFU and NZFS signed the attached Tauranga Kawerau Amalgamation document grandparenting conditions for those employed in the district and setting out transfers and travel terms and conditions.

In recent years the Tauranga and Kawerau Locals have been meeting with FENZ management to resolve matters affected by the 2007 agreement and the attached 2025 document has been drafted as a result.

At the close of the notified nominations period one nomination for the position of Timaru Local Secretary has been received.

I therefore declare Jeremy Gaskin as Timaru Local Secretary.

As a result there is the Timaru Local President position is now vacant.

Nominations are now called for the position of Timaru Local President.

PAY EQUITY AND WOMEN IN THE WORKFORCE

NZPFU members are encouraged to participate in events organised around the country on Saturday, 20 September to protest the gutting of the pay equity legislation that the National-lead Government has claimed saved $13 billion and therefore taken from the wages of women workers.

The NZ Firefighters Welfare Society is conducting a survey to understand the types of support firefighters and fire agency personnel need.

The Employment Relations Authority has agreed that the parental leave incentive payment for early return from parental leave is payable whether the NZPFU member sought 12 months leave or less.

NZPFU AND FENZ CONTINUE TO BARGAIN

Progress has been made in bargaining with FENZ now finding ways to agree to some NZPFU claims and undertaking to re-consider others. The NZPFU also moved on some matters.

NZPFU ORGANISES ONGOING BARGAINING

The NZPFU has made the practical preparations for bargaining to continue as planned on the 3rd and 4th September.

FENZ walked away from the bargaining during the August session unilaterally declaring that bargaining had ended.  FENZ then sought mediation.  The NZPFU has refused mediation as it is our strong view that bargaining has not concluded.  In fact, Workplace Relations Manager Michael Stephenson admitted in recent correspondence that there had been some productive discussions during the last day we met in bargaining.