Psychological Wellbeing
Below is provided the notice put out by the Chief Executive. You will note that the Union was consulted over this and supports its intentions.
Below is provided the notice put out by the Chief Executive. You will note that the Union was consulted over this and supports its intentions.
A successful Conference was held 28-30 November in Akaroa with Delegates from all Locals present – as well as four guests from the UFU of Australia.
Attached is a notice from the Employer regarding Women in FENZ.
The Employer has agreed to fund research which will explore the wellbeing of members, particularly in relation to medical calls.
It has been brought to the attention of the Union that some members who have qualified as Grade 1 Drivers are being denied the relevant pay rise that accompanies this achievement. The excuse provided by Management is that there is a disconnect between National Training and Area Management in terms of paperwork and notifications to Payroll.
The Local writes to members in response to an article appearing in today’s New Zealand Herald pertaining to bullying allegations against one of our members.
The Union writes to update members on the state of the Fraser-MAN fleet which has been “blacked” since mid-January of this year.
The Union has been in contact with the internal communication department of FENZ in relation to a survey they wish to undertake of members and others.
Today is Mesothelioma Awareness Day, something all fire service personnel should be familiar with.
Please find below a request from John Guilaran, a PhD student at Massey University:
Members are advised that the Auckland Local Annual General Meeting will be held on Monday 25 September 2017.
An inaugural meeting was held on the 8th August. The NZPFU was represented by Ian Wright (National Vice President) Mike Powell and Graeme “Norm” Gilroy (NZPFU reps for training) also in attendance were:
In line with the Conference Resolution to establish the rate of the calculation of Union Fees to “0.75% of the weekly wage of a Senior Firefighter (Grade 1) with 10 years’ experience.”
The Union has strongly represented its unhappiness about the inability of FENZ to actually pay the 1 July wage increase on the due date – Thus requiring back pay.
Attached is a biography for Brent Single – Candidate for Vice President Central Branch.
Some of you have questions about what the ‘health standards for operational personnel’ mentioned in the new legislation might mean for you.
Further to yesterday's notice, our technical issues with phone and internet services at the Wellington Union Office have been resolved. Our normal contact arrangements resume.
We are currently experiencing technical issues with both phone and internet services at the Wellington Union Office.
As returning Officer I have been advised by Joe Stanley that he wishes to withdraw his nomination for the positions of President & Secretary.
The following article is reproduced with an acknowledgement to and the permission of the Gisborne Herald for member’s information.
As many of you will have noticed, you’re having to log on multiple times to access applications on the intranet. I know this is very frustrating and we are disappointed that you are having this experience.
Further to the previous newsletter the employer has now advised that the new rates will be paid on 13 September and the back pay will be paid on that pay day as well.
The union and Fire and Emergency New Zealand would like to draw members’ attention to Notices of Authorisation.
The Union has agreed with the Employer the remuneration changes to apply from 1 July 2017.
President
By the closing date for nominations for positions of Northern Branch Officials, the following nominations had been received.
Attached are the signed copies of both of the documents.
Attached is a copy of the letter all existing employees of the Fire Service have recently or will shortly receive regarding their transfer into FENZ.
Below are two pieces of information relating to FENZ:
Nominations Received:
The Union has been asked by the FENZ Project to remove this notice.
The Union has been advised by the UFU of Australia that the above seminars are shortly to be run – Including one in Wellington.
The Union is aware that many members are expressing concerns about the lack of information, particularly as it relates to Day 1.
Attached are the PCA Payments for 2017.
In accordance with the Rules of the New Zealand Professional Firefighters Union, nominations are hereby called for the following positions:
The Fire Service has provided the Terms of Reference for this Review - See attached.
The Fire Service is seeking expressions of interest for at least three seconded Assistant Area Manager positions within Region 1 (Areas 3, 4 and 5). These secondments would appear to be for up to a period of two years.
Late last week the Union was approached and asked if we were prepared to release up to 5 MAN Appliances to attend the sudden catastrophe in Edgecumbe.
Selected members – selected by FENZ – have been communicated with regarding becoming a FENZ Change Support Person.
One of the reductions in conditions of employment introduced in the Fire and Emergency N.Z. legislation was the removal of the provision to provide Gratuities to Firefighters.
The Northern Branch would like to recognise the huge amount of work done by the Comm Centres, especially Northern Comms, during the recent weather events in the Region (see the figures).
The Union requested copies of Commission minutes when they (presumably discussed) and made the stupid decision to appoint a Civilian Chief Executive.
Members will be aware that a text alert detailing the Union’s concerns regarding this matter with respect to Area Notice RI-WAI-032/2017 Waitemata Area was distributed on 2 March 2017.
The Union remains supportive of the underlying rationale behind the formation of Fire and Emergency New Zealand.
There was more discussion at Conference 2016 regarding the application and interpretation of the Law in regards to Driving hours and the Fire Service approved variation and how it should be applied.
The New Zealand Professional Firefighters Union, representing all career front line firefighters can reveal that Christchurch Fire Service Crews (career firefighters) were stood down and told to return to Stations while the catastrophic Christchurch fires continued to burn – said Derek Best, Secretary of the Union.
As a result of concerns expressed regards the safety of the MAN Appliance Cab and that the Cab did not meet the appropriate European Standard (ECE R29) the Union commissioned advice from a qualified Engineer. This advice is reproduced below. You will see that the conclusion that the Cab does comply with ECE R29 and in fact provides a greater level of protection than a Cab built from steel.
This project continues, with fixes having been put in place to correct the safety issues rightly raised by Locals.
Just before Christmas, the Fire and Emergency New Zealand Bill was reported back from the Select Committee.
The Local has been made aware that there may be an effort by Fire Service Management to direct members into manning blacked Fraser-MAN appliances.
The following was received from Christchurch and the Southern Branch.
The Union is disappointed, but not surprised to learn of Paul Baxter’s resignation. It seems obvious to the Union that the Commission’s announcement of the new Management structure, where Operations is relegated to the background, was the last straw and Paul had no alternative but to accept the considerably lesser position of running a State Fire Service in Australia.
The Local writes to inform members of the decision to “black” the Fraser-MAN Appliances in the Auckland Fleet.