Newsletter to Members
Over some considerable time, the Fire Service has developed a new Absence Management Policy.
Over some considerable time, the Fire Service has developed a new Absence Management Policy.
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.
To say that the recently announced FENZ Leadership Structure is bad news for both Operational Firefighters and the Community is an understatement – it is an absolute tragedy. Make no mistake – this is not a merger; it is a takeover - with Rural taking over the Urban Service and the Urban Service being even more weakened by the total domination by Civilians.
President of the Auckland Local, Mike McEnaney delivers messages of support on behalf of NZPFU Members.
It has come to the attention of the Northern Branch Executive that some regions do not intend to have any Volunteer Support Officers on call over the Christmas/New Year period.
The Union is advised that the Fire Service intends bringing the pay forward by 4 days due to Bank closures.
Clause 2.7.1(c) of the current Collective Employment Agreement between the NZFS and the NZPFU describes how public holidays falling within periods of leave will be dealt with for rostered shift staff.
Members – not only in directly affected localities – have been faced with and have undertaken a very challenging work environment over the last few days in the response to the Earthquake and subsequent flooding etc.
Please refer to previous newsletters.
The Northern Branch has been made aware of concerns raised by the Christchurch Local in regard to a planned USAR exercise to be held from 1-4 November 2016.
Due to conditions agreed to in the USAR Schedule of Conditions R7 SCa and the NZPFU Collective Agreement Not being applied to this exercise the Christchurch Local instructs:
The Union writes to members with regards to a planned USAR Exercise being held Nov 1st- 4th.
The Local has been approached by members that have been contacted by Area management with regards to attending a meeting on the 18th of October with AM Pat Fitzell of New Plymouth. Fitzell is a member of the Appliance Project Recovery team that is attempting to address the multitude of failings with the disastrous Fraser-MAN appliances that the Fire Service has now willingly saddled itself.
The Firefighters’ Scholarship is established for career Firefighters and Officers up to SSO rank, and Comcen staff.
Members have continued to express their on-going frustrations with the Fraser-MAN pumping and pump-rescue appliances. At the recent Auckland Local Annual General Meeting, members directed the Secretary to publish a rebuttal to the propaganda originating from Fleet Management at NHQ. What follows below is correct to the best of the Local’s knowledge.
At the recent Auckland Local Annual General Meeting members expressed their frustration and anger at the poor level of service they have received when a request has been made for support following Critical Incident exposure.
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.
