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process, the Local is satisfied that the issue is progressing to the point where Notice to Members 15-24 can be withdrawn.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.
The Firefighters’ Scholarship is established for firefighters and comcen staff and provides the opportunity to study domestically and overseas, research world’s best practice or undertake a project that will benefit the Fire Service.
Members will be aware of the recent rumours regarding watch transfers at Taupo Station. A number of issues have been raised with Central Lakes and Region 2 management regarding these watch changes, including:
The Fire Service has published the following National Notice and link to a more detailed briefing paper.
The Local brings to members’ attention the situation where a duty watch may be over MSM with an additional Firefighter.
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.
The relationship between the N.Z.P.F.U. and the U.F.U. of Australia was further strengthened with a highly successful Combined Conference in Auckland in the first week of December. Approximately 80 Delegates from throughout New Zealand and Australia met over 3 days to share knowledge and information and to continue to build on the foundation of the Global Alliance.
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 should refer to the National Safety Notice 062/2014 issued on 16 October, and also refer to the Auckland Level 2 Investigation Report on 14 July 2014 regarding medium pressure hose kinking and air supply interruption.
In 2011 NZFS rolled out its first Career Board Programme. A lot has happened since then. We listened to suggestions shared by those involved in the first Career Board, and used their ideas to strengthen our 2013 Career Board Programme for Executive Officers and Officers.
Available for download with this Newsletter is a Summary Result of the Survey carried out earlier in the year and relating to the C.A. Ratification which included the outcomes of a Job Sizing exercise.
This notice is to inform members within the Waitemata Fire Area that a formal Dispute has been lodged with the Fire Service under Clause 2.8.2.1 of the Collective Agreement.
The Local has been made aware that training for Fire Safety is about to be delivered in the Waitemata Fire Area. The trainer for this is a former member of the Union who stabbed his colleagues in the back in order to assist the employer with the failed reforms of the 90’s.
Triennial Election of Northern Branch Vice President Following the calling of nominations for the position of Northern Branch Vice President, I hereby declare John William Waldow elected to the position, effective immediately.
It has come to the attention of the Taupo Local that Kinloch Fire Brigade is now being used more often as backup for Taupo Station as either standby crew or as backup to Taupo crews when responding to an incident.
The Auckland Local has had a number of complaints and questions from members regarding Assistant Area Manager Woon’s email regarding District Relievers for ACFA.
It has been over a year now since the roll out of the new Drager BA sets and while the Fire Service has admitted that this roll out did not go very well and was inadequate, the follow up issues arising out of the roll out seems to be just as inadequate.
The Fire Service has set up a comprehensive programme of work to focus on reducing firefighters’ exposure to carcinogens and other harmful substances in the workplace. The programme is a joint initiative involving the NZPFU and the UFBA.
On Thursday 14th August Derek Best and I had the privilege of attending the reception held in for the Recipients of the Bravery Awards.
Members are advised that the Auckland Local Annual General Meeting will be held on Wednesday 20 August 2014.
Following on from our recent triennial elections for the Northern Branch Executive, nominations are hereby called for the following position that was not filled at that time:
The Local has written to Region 1 Manager Brian Butt informing him of the following regarding our position surrounding a 5th man being assigned to a particular shift period.
Do you have a great idea for improving some aspect of the New Zealand Fire Service that aligns with current organisational strategy and Vision 2020? If so, check out the Firefighters’ Scholarship.
The Union has been advised that a small number of members (19), have apparently been over-paid - some for up to around 6 -7 months. These are persons who were in the groups that were intended to be grand-fathered as a consequence of the pay changes last year.
By the closing date for nominations for positions of Northern Branch Officials, the following nominations had been received.
In accordance with the Rules of the New Zealand Professional Firefighters Union, nominations are hereby called for the following positions:
The attached chart details the P.C.A. Payment.
The Collective Agreement (CA) agreed between the Fire Service and the New Zealand Professional Firefighters Union in 2013 prescribes a review of market rates in May of each year that the agreement remains in force.
Subsequent to agreement between the Union and Fire Service, the following will apply:
The Employment Relations Authority held the Investigation Meeting regarding this dispute in Wellington on 15 April.
This notice provides an update on the joint work taking place between NZFS management, the NZPFU and the UFBA to resolve the current situation with BA set medium pressure hoses.
As members will recall, the existing Collective Agreement expires 30 June 2015. However, during the course of the Agreement, a number of Working Parties are to be established to look at:
Last week the NZPFU and the UFU of Australia National Committees met for a 2 day meeting.
Following numerous complaints from members in Area 3, the Union has written to Area Manager O’Donoghue demanding that the PRT qualifications, which were arbitrarily removed from affected members’ OSM profile, be reinstated. The Union also expects that members be allowed to maintain their PRT qualification through suitable training.
Members will know that over recent months there has been a significant increase in Medical Responses/Assists and a consequent increase in problems being experienced with those calls.