Volunteers, off duty career firefighters, 111 emergency call centre dispatchers, VSOs, trainers, Risk Reduction staff, and those working in health and safety can all kick back and relax today as the NZPFU has called off today’s strike.
On behalf of the National President Joseph Stanley and National Vice President Martin Campbell we wish all NZPFU members and supporters a happy and safe festive season.
An attempt by FENZ to try and drive a wedge between volunteers and the NZPFU career firefighters has backfired with a surge of support for career firefighters by volunteers.
Today FENZ filed an urgent application in the Employment Relations Authority as its latest salvo against the NZPFU and its members.
We deny the allegations and the legal action will be defended.
Contrary to the allegations, career firefighters and volunteer firefighters have a strong working relationship and we will continue to
foster that relationship.
The NZPFU and PSA met with FENZ today in mediation resulting from our joint application to the Employment Relations Authority regarding the failure of FENZ to consult on the restructuring where FENZ plans to slash jobs and significantly change risk management and operational structures.
The NZPFU and FENZ met for facilitated bargaining on Tuesday and Wednesday this week. The NZPFU was disappointed with the lack of reasonable progress made.
The Northern Drivers' Charitable Trust 2026 Skills & Training Scholarships are now open for applications, to 20 January 2026. A total of 10 scholarships of up to $3000 will be awarded for the 2026 year.
The Employment Relations Authority has set down facilitated bargaining for the 9th and 10th December – next Tuesday
and Wednesday – in Wellington
Thursday we are in mediation on the joint application we filed with the PSA on FENZ’s failure to consult with the Unions on the restructure
that will slash 160 jobs.
Approximately 2,000 NZPFU members will strike for one full hour from 12 noon today.
Notices have also been issued for the 12th and 19th December 2025.
These strikes could be avoided if FENZ agreed to meet and progress the bargaining. The notified strikes for the next two weeks will
be dependent on FENZ’s attitude to getting bargaining going again.
PPTA Secondary Teachers have accepted a pay offer of 2.5 and 2.1 over a 24-month contract.
Today, the Employment Relations Authority has issued a determination sending FENZ and the NZPFU to facilitated bargaining on the basis of
protracted bargaining.
FENZ has refused to meet or agree to bargaining dates pending that decision, despite the process not precluding the parties continuing to
meet to try and resolve the issues.
The NZPFU is taking legal advice on the decision.
About 2000 NZPFU members walk off the job for one hour today from midday in 19 cities and towns in a bid to try and get FENZ and the Government to act to address the dire state of the fire service.