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.
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.
In accordance with the Rules of the New Zealand Professional Firefighters Union, nominations are hereby called for the following positions:
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!
In accordance with Rule A13 of the New Zealand Professional Firefighters Union, nominations are hereby called for the following positions that have become available:
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.
The Union and the Fire Service met again on 4 April 2011.
The extra hour as a result of the change to Daylight Saving needs to be manually claimed.
Newsletter No. 30 – 30 November 2010 advised members of a Ban on CFBT training until various issues of concern had been addressed and satisfactorily resolved.
Further to Newsletter No. 31 – 15 December 2010.
Further to Newsletter No. 8 – 14 March 2011.
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.
Auckland Members will, no doubt, wish to express their shock and sympathy to all Christchurch Firefighters and their families, following events in Christchurch in the past week.
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.
Members will be aware of the tragic and catastrophic event yesterday (and ongoing) in Christchurch.
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 and Fire Service representatives met again on 20 January 2011 (for a fifth day of negotiations).
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.