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.
As the attached WHO) Press Release notes:
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.
At the closing date for nominations for positions on the Union Council, the following had been received:
In response to questions from members, the Union provides the following information:
Attached is the result of the Ratification Ballot.
Members may now be aware of the removal of the ballot box from the Auckland office of the NZPFU.
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 Union Committee met on Monday 2 April and then with Fire Service negotiators on 3 April 2012.
Further to Newsletter No. 13 – 23 March 2012.
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.
The Union has filed in the Employment Relations Authority, a challenge to the Fire Service management’s National Notice purporting to cancel what it labels “Discretionary Leave”.
Firefighters are set to join forces with other embattled workers as the protest movement escalates.
The Union has seen this National Notice – 005/2012 and its earlier draft (which was apparently circulated in Auckland).
As members are aware SFF Willy Clark is starting at Rotorua Station on 15th March 2012.
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