Further to Newsletter 9 November 2011.
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.
Further to the last Industrial Update and Newsletter No. 41 – 27 October 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 is aware of the letters received by our members regarding the employers proposed changes to black watch establishments.
The Union met with Fire Service representatives today (19 October) in mediation with the assistance of Labour Dept. Mediator – Mike Feely.
The Union has filed a new Notice of Strike Action to take effect from 0800 hours 26 October 2011.
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.
The parties met last week using the assistance of a Mediator from the Labour Department.
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.
Members are advised that the AGM called for Monday 29 August 2011 is now POSTPONED.
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:
The Auckland Local AGM is set down for the 29th of August 2011.
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.
The Union and the fire service met in mediation today in Wellington. There was no agreement reached.
The Fire Service has made a new offer to USAR members. This should have been received by USAR members on or about 23 July from Mr Paul McGill in the form of an email.
The Union is advised that these Boards have once again appeared on some Stations. This matter was addressed between the Union and the Fire Service in 2009.
Dear Members,
Negotiations continued with mediation on the 21st July as was directed by the courts. The employer although adamant in its claim to the employment court on the 11th July, that they could not resume negotiation at that time because it was imperative that they assembled their full bargaining team, attended with two of their team absent.
Negotiations at mediation concluded today at midday with no further movement by the employer on their offer.
Today FRM Butt has ordered the removal of Papatoetoe 348 from Region 1 and sent it South to Wellington.
Further to the letter from the President of the Union yesterday, there have been comments on the CEO Mike Hall’s Notice on FireNet. The proposal in Mike Hall’s Notice has some inaccuracies, and at best is misleading.
Dear Members,
Members are advised that the Employment Court Judge delivered his verdict to the Union this afternoon. The Judge has ordered that the Union and the Employer must return to mediation before notice of strike action is given to the employer.
The Legal Action is based on what is the correct interpretation of Clause 10 (b) of the Bargaining Process Agreement.
The Employment Court today heard the Unions application for a declaration that the industrial action is lawful and that the bargaining process agreement has been complied with.
Please note the following corrections to yesterday’s Newsletter No. 26:
The Union attended mediation on Thursday 30 June and was represented by the Union’s Council, Steve Warner, Peter Hallett, Derek Best and Peter Nicholle.
As advised in Newsletter No. 24 – 21 June 2011, the Union and the Fire Service attended mediation today, Thursday 23 June.
The Union issued Strike Notices on 16 June 2011 for strikes to commence on 1 July 2011.
Members may have seen the E-mail from Mike Hall alleging that the Union has breached the bargaining Process Agreement. The Union Emphatically denies that allegation.
Herewith are the Notices of Industrial Action served on the Fire Service.
The action to be taken for the most part is intended to effectively be a repeat of the action that was being taken when the previous action finished.
The result of the Ratification Ballot is:
At the closing date for receipt of Nominations for the Central Branch positions, three nominations were received (one for each position).
The Union has today written to Area Manager Kerry Gregory setting out our position over appointments in the South Auckland area (letter attached).
Breach Of Protocol - Union Files In Employment Relations Authority The Union has issued proceedings in the Employment Relations Authority against the employer seeking remedies relating to a direct communication about the collective bargaining issued by the Chief Executive to all staff (including volunteers and non‐members) on FireNet on 2 May 2011.
Auckland Local members are encouraged to attend the Ratification Meetings being held in Auckland this week.
The following is the Schedule of Meetings for Auckland Local, at which the F.S. proposal will be fully explained by National Committee Members for your consideration.
The answers are very simple and quite transparent:
The Headline should read “Fire Service Lose in the Court of Appeal”
Fire Service Harassment/Bullying of Union Officials – Fire Service Lose In Supreme Court Further to NTM No. 32 – 17 December 2010.