NEWS

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.

Members are aware of the previous Notice regarding the negotiations for the renewal of the CEA. This was the notice that was put out with the full copy of the employer’s final offer to settle.

The Union notes that the Fire Service has published their settlement proposal from the CEA Negotiations on Firenet. Once again they show their arrogance by publishing information to our members without first notifying the Union’s bargaining team of their intent.

This is to advise that Dane O’Brien has resigned from the position of Secretary of the Rotorua Local, effective immediately.

The response in Christchurch now has evolved into the recovery phase yet firefighters from outside of this Local continue to provide much needed support in operational roles. So at this point on behalf of the Christchurch Local, I wish to express our gratitude to you all, for the messages of support, for coming here to work side by side with us, for being mates!

The response in Christchurch now has evolved into the recovery phase yet firefighters from outside of this Local continue to provide much needed support in operational roles. So at this point on behalf of the Christchurch Local, I wish to express our gratitude to you all, for the messages of support, for coming here to work side by side with us, for being mates!

Members will be aware that for those non USAR personnel deployed to Christchurch, a claim relating to overtime is required. Members and their respective Rosters Officers need to be aware that each claim needs to be done on a day to day basis comparing the roster they worked in Christchurch to their normal one. Anything outside of the normal roster can be claimed as overtime.

As this dispute finally winds its way to a successful conclusion, members who still have not repaid the alleged overpayments are strongly urged to resist pressure to do so.

It is with regret that the Auckland Local has received the resignation of Kevin (Mau) Barbara from the position of Committee Member.

It is with regret that the Auckland Local has received the resignations of William Pike from the position of Vice President and Shane McGrail from the position of Committee Member, effective immediately.

Further to the NTM dated 01/03/11 a meeting was held today with Local management and Welfare officials, to enable the Union to be briefed on developments to date.

This is a Newsletter from the Christchurch Local for its members, but it has relevance/interest for all.

‐ Approximately 40‐45% of members’ houses have been severely affected – damage ranges from moderate to total destruction.

Mike Balmer and Denis Fitzmaurice met with the Safety and Welfare Team tasked with looking after members and their families during this tragic and traumatic time for Christchurch. Those members encompass Firefighters and their Families, USAR members and Families and Firefighters from around the country.

The Northern Branch of the NZPFU wishes to pass on to all Christchurch members and their families, our sympathy, concern and support following the tragic and devastating earthquake in their Region.

Auckland Members will be aware that the Union placed a restriction on submitting applications for these two vacancies.

The Employment Relations Authority decision on this matter was reported in NTM No. 1 – 20 January 2011.

The Union is aware of the National Notice 6/2011 put out on 31 January by Mike Hall. The Union was advised in advance of the content of the Notice.

The Auckland Local has been undertaking activities related to the effect on members, primarily from Avondale, who may be transferred as a result of the proposed opening of Te Atatu Station.

On Friday 21 January the Auckland Local, working in conjunction with the Northern Branch, to act on the concerns of a number of members, attended mediation with regards to several issues with the Fire Service.

On 30 January at 10am, Sandra Moran, Partner in the Wellington Law Firm of Oakley Moran died peacefully at her family home in Wellington.

The Union advises members that the following has been discussed with the Executive of the National, Northern Branch and Auckland Local and is endorsed by all.

Members may have seen a whole of country e‐mail from Janine Hearn dated Monday 24th January 2011. This email refers to the current negotiations between the Union and the NZFS. While our Notice to Members dated 21st January did state that the negotiations had broken down, we did say that further information would be supplied this week.

The Union has been provided with a copy of a letter sent by the Director of Human Resources, Janine Hearn, to members in relation to the overpayment dispute of the officership allowance.

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 Union Head Office will be closed from midday today until January 11th 2011.

This year, Christmas Day and New Yearfs Day fall on a Saturday and Boxing Day and the day after New Yearfs Day fall on a Sunday. These days are prescribed as Public Holidays.

The Executive and Committee of the Auckland Local wish all members and their families a very Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year.

The Union met with the Regional Management Team on Wednesday 20 October to further discuss the proposed deployment of the allocated Hazmat/Command vehicles for the Auckland Region.

The Union and Members express their sympathy and support for the two injured Firefighters – Sam Julian and Graham Hill, injured last week in Taranaki.

The Fire service has advised the Union of the intention to offer this survey for middle and senior managers – it will also be offered to Station Officers and Senior Station Officers on a voluntary basis.