The Local has been made aware of a number of instances where members have attempted to address faults and failures with the terminally flawed Fraser-MAN appliances. This is not a recommended solution by either Management or the Union. The instruction to members contained in Northern Branch Notice NB 16-44 is still valid. SSO Chris Lind is still logging faults and failures and needs to be informed of any further incidents with Fraser-MAN appliances.
Aaron Waterreus is about to commence a survey of those who attended NTC to undertake the 5 day Incident Command Training.
Attached is an Area vacancy for the position of Fire Risk Manager for the Auckland City Fire Area for a period of two months.
Attached is a copy of the Union Submission on the Bill.
Because the FENZ Director and workstream leads have absolutely no knowledge of the Fire Service, its operational functions, the culture – basically how the Fire Service operates.
Members are advised that the Auckland Local Annual General Meeting will be held on Monday 26 September 2016.
The following information, put out by the Fire service, is provided for you information. Greg Lee (National Committee member) has been involved with the CIPSS team to further develop this support service.
To recognise and address the serious concerns with the MAN appliances, the Union has appointed the President to work in conjunction with Locals, Members, and the National Fleet Manager, to resolve issues raised.
The Union (Peter Nicolle and Derek Best) have meet with the Minister (Peter Dunne) and D.I.A Officials; the Director of the Transition office (David Strong) and various Transition Office staff, the Chief Executive/National Commander and representatives of the U.F.B.A to discuss and obtain further information on both the Bill and Transition to FENZ.
The Fire Service are working on ensuring the continued sustainability with regards to the provision of specialist fire investigation skills and capabilities into the future.
Following a meeting with Paul Turner where the Union was presented with outstanding leave totals and sick leave figures from Comcentres, Paul undertook to instruct Comcentre Managers not to obstruct or deny members' leave.
On Tuesday 2 August the Union blacked the above appliance. Given the long list of faults and failures of this appliance, the Union was forced to take this action.
The following message from Denis Fitzmaurice is repeated for your information.
As previously advised the Union (Derek Best and the Union Lawyer Peter Cranney) met with the Fire Service in mediation on the matter of IFE Payments. The application lodged in the Employment Relations Authority has been referred to mediation.
A major work for the Union over the next few weeks will be a detailed consideration of this Bill and leading to the development of a submission from the Union to the Select Committee.
Clause 2.6.2.2 of the Collective agreement requires the Union and the Fire Service to review Market Data (provided by Hay Group) and discuss and agree the remuneration rates to apply from 1 July 2016. The following is the outcome.
By the closing date for nominations for positions in the Taupo Local, no nominations had been received.
Triennial Elections See attached notices for nominations and declarations.
Massey University student Dick Thornton-Grimes has approached the NZPFU providing information on some independent and anonymous research survey he is conducting for those stations that have an appliance equipped with an Impact Pro gas detector as part of his degree studies.
The Local writes to inform members that a situation has arisen, due to over-hiring of staff, where some watches at some stations may be rostered with an Officer and four Firefighters. In the event of this occurring, the Union advises that the following is to apply.
Further to the information in the last Newsletter.
The Union has agreed to a schedule developed by the Fire Service and Draeger for the replacement of all BA set hoses. At the same time as the hoses are replaced Drager will change the settings on all DSU’s as also agreed by both parties.
Today the Minister announced more details on the Review.
Northern Branch In accordance with the Rules of the New Zealand Professional Firefighters Union, nominations are hereby called for the Triennial Election of Local Officials.
The Northern Branch of the NZPFU advises Auckland Local members that we will be holding ratification meetings in Auckland on Thursday 19 April and Friday 20 April to enable as many members (on and off duty) to attend and have their vote.
The Dispute has been lodged with the Employment Relations Authority. The Union is expecting to be referred in the first instance to mediation.
The Boyd family would like to thank all at the Union for their support and kind messages for Pam after her untimely passing.
Available for download is an agreed notice regarding the treating of how people were paid for Statutory Holidays over Christmas/ New Year and Waitangi day.
Members will be aware that this is a year when the PCA’s are due.
Members should and will remember the devastating and tragic events 5 years ago in Christchurch – lives lost, property destroyed, major trauma and heroic actions by many, including our members, not only in Christchurch but from around the country.
We recognise that the earthquakes of the 14th were a major event and understand that for some Christchurch fire fighters and their families this is a difficult time. The NZPFU is your organisation that exists to provide information and support to its members over a variety of fields one of which is welfare support. To access this info/support in the first instance please contact Jim Ryburn, Welfare Officer on (03) 372-8617 or (021) 654-184.
Many of you will know that Pam has been ill for some time, Pam worked for over 25 years for the Union as the Office Manager and many of you will have had dealings with her.
The Union office will be closed from and on 24th December 2015 until 6th January 2016.
The Executive and Committee of the Auckland Local wish all members and their families a very Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year.
On behalf of the Executive of the Northern Branch, we wish all members and their families a very Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year.
Attached in the first of several updates (probably monthly) on the upcoming health and safety legislation. These updates are issued out of the work of the Health and Safety Reform Project. The Union is represented on this Projects Steering Group.
As some members may be aware the Fire Service has recently stopped processing the IFE “Qualification Bonus” payment to workers who achieved the qualification from the IFE through Recognised Prior Learning (RPL), under section 2.6.17 of the CEA.
Following high-level discussions between the Union and Fire Service management on the dispute surrounding the Senior Station Officer application process, the Local is satisfied that the issue is progressing to the point where Notice to Members 15-24 can be withdrawn.
A number of members are aware of the debacle created by AM Cocker and then supported by Regional Management in regard to the highly flawed selection process for short-listing candidates for promotion to recently advertised Senior Station Officer positions in Areas 4 and 5. The Union has now placed this matter into dispute.
The Workplace Carcinogen Exposure Programme (WCEP) was established to reduce frontline staff exposure to carcinogens and other harmful substances in the workplace. This is a joint initiative involving the New Zealand Fire Service, NZPFU and the UFBA. WCEP has made several accomplishments the last few months. The WCEP project team is now starting a series of pilots to test new respiratory protective equipment (RPE), processes, and procedures prior to final approval, procurement, and implementation.
As advised at Ratification meetings arising out of the C.A bargaining, the Fire Service agreed to review the maximum amounts reimbursed for eye checks and spectacles.
The Union can advise that the new Pay Rates and the Back-pay arising out of the Collective Agreement Ratification will be paid on 19th August 2015.
Members are advised that the Auckland Local Annual General Meeting will be held on Tuesday 4 August 2015.
Herewith Declaration of the Ratification Ballot.
The purpose of this notice is to make members within the Branch aware of the meeting timetable for ratification meetings.
After a number of days of bargaining and extensive work on bench-marking for Part 3 and 4, the Union and the Fire Service are now in a position to refer a Proposed Settlement for your consideration.
The Union has been involved with the new BA reference guide and the new E Learning package outlined below and supports its implementation.
Attached is the Schedule of P.C.A. Payments to be made.
Available for download is the Fire Service Review Document for your information.
Following on the calling of Nominations for the Union's National President, Vice President and Secretary, the following were recieved by the closing date.
This year’s Queen’s Birthday Honours acknowledges the endeavour and achievements of Jim Ryburn with the Award of Member of the NZ. Order of Merit.
NZPFU and NZFS have met for a further two days on Monday 25 & Tuesday 26 May 2015.
NZPFU and NZFS bargaining teams met again for a further full days bargaining on Friday 15 May 2015.
NZPFU and NZFS have met for two days on Thursday 7 and Friday 8 May 2015. Both parties feel that the negotiations have started constructively.