NEWS

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 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.

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 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:

The Union is aware of an over-deduction issue pertaining to the $100,000 compensation insurance cover.

This notice is to inform members of the hazard of moving and working around the Hazardous Material Pods on 2018 and 3318.

Members will by now be aware that the Fire Service has purchased new BA sets for all of the country. They have decided, against the wishes of the Union and their members, to also utilise the supplier, Drager, for all testing, servicing and repairing of these sets.

Welcome to the third Wellington Newsletter. My apologies for not getting one out before now. Time goes quick when you get to my age!

The Local has written to Regional Manager Butt regarding Privacy Act breaches and bullying and harassment issues arising out of ‘friendly chats’ AM Cocker has been having with members.

The Northern Branch of the NZPFU advises Auckland Local members that a ballot box has been made available at the Auckland Office at Unit 7 44 William Pickering Drive Albany.

It is vital that members attend their Ratification Meetings to have your vote – a high turnout will ensure that whichever way members vote, the vote has credibility.

This is to inform members that the Auckland Local Committee met last Wednesday 11 April to discuss the proposed settlement of the Collective Agreement.

Further to Newsletter No. 15 – 4 April 2012. Attached are the various new wordings in the Proposed Collective Agreement:

The Committee has resolved to withdraw all Strike Action at 0800 hours on Monday 26 March 2012.

The Union, (Steve Warner, Peter Hallett, Peter Nicolle, Jim Ryburn, Denis Fitzmaurice, Boyd Raines, Derek Best and the unions lawyer Peter Cranney,) met with the Fire Service (Janine Hearn, Brett Warwick, Brendon Nally, Chris Wells and their lawyer Geoff Davenport) in mediation on Friday 23rd March regarding managements purporting to cancel what they have titled "discretionary leave".

The Auckland Local is aware of the confusion that has been created by Management with their inability to manage the Rosters as well and as competently as our Union members have done, so in an effort to simplify it for Region Management, we are recommending the following procedure.

The Auckland Local is aware of the confusion that has been created by Management with their inability to manage the Rosters as well and as competently as our Union members have done, so in an effort to simplify it for Region Management, we are recommending the following procedure.

The Northern Branch is aware of the confusion that has been created by Management with their inability to manage the Rosters as well and as competently as our Union members have done, so in an effort to simplify it for Region Management, we are recommending the following procedure.Person rings O.I.C.

Further to Newsletter No. 11 – 13 March 2012, the Union and Fire Service management have been directed to mediation on Friday 23rd March 2012 in regard to the Union’s application challenging Fire Service management’s National Notice purporting to cancel what it labels “Discretionary Leave”.

The Auckland Local is aware of the confusion that has been created by Management with their inability to manage the Rosters as well and as competently as our Union members have done, so in an effort to simplify it for Region Management, we are recommending the following procedure.

Because of concerns at particularly, recent actions by Executive Officers in undertaking work currently banned as a result of our present Strike Action, the Union has written to the Executive Officers Society on this matter ‐ 6 March 2012