BA Maintenance, Troy Mahupuku & Meeting with Fire Service Leadership Team
B.A. Maintenance Further to Newsletter No. 12 – 14 August 2013
B.A. Maintenance Further to Newsletter No. 12 – 14 August 2013
The Union has had a number of queries from members regarding the above Survey (sent out yesterday).
Following confirmation of the ratification of the new Collective Agreement, we have had discussions with the NZFS on when members can expect implementation of the changes, and payment of relevant back pay.
Members of the N.Z.F.S. Associated Agencies have received enquiries from people asking where they could deposit money to help S.F.F. Troy Mahupuku who received burns to his arms and back – approximately 30% of his body, at a factory fire in Petone on 23rd August 2013.
The Union has been approached by several concerned members with regard to the voluntary servicing of B.A. equipment, including the testing of Level 4 Gas Suits.
1. The Union’s National Committee has resolved to “Recommend the Settlement to Members for Ratification”.
This is to inform members of the Auckland Local of the dates and locations of meetings for ratifying the proposed CEA.
Following a meeting of the Firefighter Pay Working Party, including both NZFS and NZPFU representatives, some significant changes have been agreed to the original proposals discussed at the recent information meetings. These changes have been made in response to feedback from the information meetings, and address the two key concerns that have been raised.
Breathing Apparatus There seems to be a number of concerns relating to the testing and minor repairs of all Breathing Apparatus equipment including Gas Suits that were once tested in Fire Service B.A. departments by certified technicians.
Attached is all the information that will be made available at the scheduled Information Meetings of Members.
The information produced regarding the Pay Review relates to Operational Officers & Firefighters (Part 2). The Pay Review exercise did not apply to Part 3 and Part 4 Workers.
A very informative and successful Seminar on Managing Firefighter Exposure was held on 27th June in Wellington. The Seminar, which focused on exposure to substances that are cancer causing was jointly hosted by the Union and the Fire Service.
By the closing date for nominations for positions in the Auckland Local, the following nominations had been received.
Meetings to provide information on the new pay structure for Operational Firefighters and Officers will commence shortly (see attached schedule).
The Union met today with Area 4 Management to discuss concerns raised by the Union with regard to training delivery for the new Level IV Gas Suits.
Q.F.F. PROGRESSION The Union met with H.R. management last week to discuss the dispute raised with the Fire Service regarding Q.F.F. progression.
The Union has written to Area 4 Manager Gregory seeking a meeting to discuss this issue.
The Union has been approached by Management with regard to having staff undertake the testing of the new Level IV Gas Suits.
Some time ago, management determined that, on the supply of new vehicles for FSOs and VSOs, the vehicles would not be equipped with LMR. However, on 23 April, management advised this decision had been reversed and that LMR would now continue to be provided for FSOs and VSOs.
The Union has requested that the Fire Service remove from service immediately the manifolds fitted to the Drager twin pack cylinder sets. On advice received from Drager, the manifolds that have been fitted to these sets were not supplied by them.
The Auckland Local has been made aware that the employer has made erroneous appointments under Section 66 of the Fire Service Act 1975. The usual practice in Auckland with regards to Section 66 has been to advertise for suitable personnel and then make an appointment to cover a temporary vacancy for a Deputy Chief Fire Officer/ Assisstant Area Manager position. Section 66 has never applied to a normal vacany for a Station Officer or Senior Station Officer position. Nor can the Union support the covering of a rank which exists within the Collective Agreement where that temporary absence has been created from a member being appointed to an Acting AAM position. The employer has, to date, a sound and robust promotion procedure with which any vacancy arising can be filled. If a member is appointed to be an Acting AAM, the resulting temporary absence can be covered under the existing call-back policies within the CEA. The Union advises that no member shall accept a Section 66 appointment arising out of a normal vacancy for a rank which is covered under the current Collective Agreement. The Union advises that any member on a Section 66 appointment and currently filling an absence arising out of Section 66 notify their Area Manager that they can no longer undertake this role and return to their normal position within their Brigade.
The Auckland Local has been approached by Auckland Area Management and informed that there will be a trial of the new BA Seats. These are to be fitted into Balmoral 611. The Local fully supports this trial and encourages members to provide feedback on the suitability of these seats. If any member wishes to provide feedback, they can contact either one of the BA Instructors who has delivered the recent training on the PSS5000 sets, or a member of the Local Committee.
Further to Newsletter – 21 December 2012.
The Joint Pay Review Working Party will recommence its work later this week. An update on the work will be provided to members as soon as possible after the meeting.
There are a number of problems relating to the roll out of the new Draeger PSS5000 BA sets that the project, in conjunction with the NZPFU, is working hard to resolve. This joint statement sets out the position of the project and the NZPFU.
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 Northern Branch Office will be closed from Friday 21 December 2012 until Monday 7 January 2013.
Further to Newsletters No. 27 – 25 July 2012, No. 31 – 15 August, No. 34 – 2 October, No. 35 – 10 October and No. 37 – 21 November –
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. This clause states that "If a public holiday falls or public holidays fall within the extended leave period (i.e. the 14 days) the leave will be extended by the number of public holidays in the same manner as applies to sickness, namely an additional leave day is added to the first duty day shift immediately following the extended leave period."
Further to Newsletter No. 32 – 3 September 2012; No. 34 – 2 October and No. 35 – 18 October.
The National Committee, through the Southern Branch, would like to offer its full support to members who are impacted by the Coronial Inquiry into the collapse of the CTV Building in Christchurch.
Further to newsletters No. 32 - 3 September 2012 and No. 34 - 2 October
Further to Newsletter No. 27 – 25 July 2012 and No. 31 – 15 August 2012. The Working Party has met on a number of occasions and Hay Group has been retained as consultants to the Working Party. Detailed discussions have been held with Hay Group to establish what the parties will need to do and to clarify and detail information they require. A smaller sub-group of the Working Party will establish and finalize detailed Job Descriptions for SFF and S.O. ranks shortly. As well, Hay Group is currently obtaining information from various employers for comparative purposes. It is expected that by mid October, Hay Group will be in a position to report to the Working Party.
The Union understands that the Fire Service has been instructed by government to directly address the matter of absenteeism.
Members are advised that the Auckland Local Annual General Meeting will be held on Wednesday 26 September 2012.
The Union has received several calls from concerned members with regard to the above.
The Fire service has made it clear that they have adopted a “Total Care” approach to the maintenance of the new B.A. and they have contracted to Drager accordingly.
Further to Newsletter No. 27 - 25 July 2012. This Working Party met further on 13 August 2012. Good progress was made including selecting the (subject to finalizing of details), preferred contractor to assist with the necessary bench-marking exercise.
For a long time now (going back to the 90s), the Union has been an advocate for a review of he Fire Service Funding Mechanism and the legislative mandate to recognize the reality of the expected operations/function that Firefighters carry out on a day to day basis.
The following nominations were received for the position of Union Vice President:
There has been a deal of speculation, rumour, and conspiracy theories circulating regarding the large number of Invalid Votes recorded in the recent Presidential Ballot.
The Union and the Fire Service Working Party have met twice to advance the work to develop a revised remuneration structure for Firefighters & Officers.
The Union has been involved in the discussions around, and the development of this Survey. It is important that members respond accurately to this Survey so as to ensure, if necessary, changes can be made to OSM based on objective data.
Attached for your information are the updated Govt. Expectations for Pay & Employment Conditions in the State Sector.
The Union is aware that a number of members have received letters from Area Management expressing concern at levels and patterns of absences/use of sick leave. Quite simply, these letters are nothing more or less than a crude attempt at bullying and harassment.
There have been a number of discussions with Fire Service Managers regarding the Physical Competency Assessment and the accompanying payment of the allowance.
Further to previous notices, herewith Biographies for members' information, recieved from candidates for the position of National President:
Members will be aware that some changes have been made to the insurance scheme.
Further to NTM 12 ‐30, 12 June 2012.