NEWS

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

Further to Newsletter to Members - 12 January 2012, attached is self explanatory correspondence between the Union and Fire Service Management. 

The Union, represented by Steve Warner, Peter Hallett, Derek Best, Boyd Raines, Mike Powell, Peter 

Further to Newsletter Number 50 ‐ 23rd December 2011 the Union and the Employer have set down a meeting for the 5th January 2012, to discuss the offer that was detailed in that notice.  

Welcome to the second Wellington Newsletter, right on Christmas time and another busy year for your Local with the Rugby World Cup,quite a few staff changes, and of course the ongoing industrial action.

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.

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.

Some members will be aware of the various rumours circulating as to what the employer may attempt on or after 1 January 2012 when the Collective Agreement formally expires. These rumours appear to be the work of one or two disaffected Area Managers/CFOs.

The Union (Steve Warner, Peter Hallett, Peter Nicolle, Ian Wright, Jim Ryburn, Denis Fitzmaurice, Boyd Raines and Derek Best) ‐ Mike Powell being unable to attend, met with the employer’s Bargaining Team (Janine Hearn, Brian Butt, Brett Warwick, Kerry Gregory, Larry Cocker and Brendan Nally) with the assistance of Mediator Mike Feely on 13 December. The significant issues discussed involved the question of the increase for Wages and Allowances, and the employer’s claim for Alternative/Flexible Rostering System.

True to form, the Auckland Fire Region Manager, Brian Butt, has threatened members in Auckland with disciplinary action and/or legal action for following the Bans imposed in the present Strike Action.

Further to Newsletter No. 43 – 18 November

The Union has, as of the date of producing this Newsletter, received no objection to the proposal as in the last Paragraph of the Unions letter to Mike Hall of 3 November 2011.

The Northern Branch has become aware that the Fire Service has sent out notification for alternative holidays which are generated when working a public holiday and when staff work time banking.

The Union met with Fire Service representatives today (19 October) in mediation with the assistance of Labour Dept. Mediator – Mike Feely.

Members will be aware that there are two new Strike Notices under notice at this time. They are both due to come into force on the 5th October 2011 at 08:00 hours. The ramifications for members are listed below.

Members will have seen a copy of the new notice of industrial action to take effect from 5 October (Newsletter to Members No 37 – Industrial Action). One significant change is the action that Comcentre members will take in regards to “a ban on processing fire systems inoperative event notifications.”

Members will have seen a copy of the new notice of industrial action to take effect from 5 October (Newsletter to Members No 37 – Industrial Action). One significant change is the action that Comcentre members will take in regards to “a ban on processing fire systems inoperative event notifications.”

Welcome to the first Wellington Local Newsletter, this document is not intended to replace Local Notices, but has been brought about by the need for the committee to be able to get general information to its members, with a more general interest feel to it.

Notice of additional Industrial Action has been given to the employer.

Following the postponement of the 2011 AGM please be advised of the following new dates

Prior to the New Zealand Professional Firefighters Union taking industrial action, there has been little or no involvement in any planning for operational staff, or any staff members for that matter, to have any involvement in the Rugby World Cup (RWC).

It is time to remember our fallen comrades and firefighters that died in the terror attacks on 9/11 in New York, along with other emergency workers and all occupants of the twin towers.

Members will by now be aware of the postponement of the Auckland Local AGM. This decision was taken so as to not place on‐duty members in the difficult position of deciding whether to remain on Station or leave work for two hours, as per their rights under the Collective Agreement and the Employment Relations Act 2000, in order to attend the meeting.

At the request of the Mediator appointed by the Chief Executive of the Labour Department, the Union will meet with the Fire Service negotiators next week.

Members are advised that the Auckland Local Annual General Meeting will be held on Monday 29 August 2011. Meeting details:

Members may be aware that on Thursday 4 August the Union issued Hazard Notices to the Fire Service in Auckland in relation to the Hazmat Pods and componentry carried by 2018 and 3318.

As noted in NTM No. 33 – 2 August, one of the employer’s retaliation measures is to effectively cancel all Rehabilitation/Alternative/Light Duties arrangements. This measure, attacking the most vulnerable (many of these injured in the line of duty), should be condemned by any right thinking person.

The Union has obtained the “Guidelines” to managers as to how Fire Service management intends to attack Firefighters during the period of industrial action.