Operations Review Kahika Road Beachhaven 24 May 2008
Members may have read the drastically altered Operations Review put out by the Auckland Regional Manager in his Region Notice 69/2008.
Members may have read the drastically altered Operations Review put out by the Auckland Regional Manager in his Region Notice 69/2008.
The Auckland Local President and Secretary have been meeting with FRM Butt regarding the 405 Fire Safety Building Survey.
Members are advised that contrary to Regional Update 78/2008, the Auckland Local has not agreed to initiate the use of the 405 or 408 forms.
As a consequence of the recent Branch Elections, for the next 12 months at least, the
Communications Workers - Ratification of variation to Part 3 of the Collective Agreement
The above results take effect from 1 August 2008.
A current ongoing dispute in Taupo provides further evidence that Operational Management has lost control, or even input, into Industrial Relations matters.
Members are advised that the Auckland Local Annual General Meeting will be held on Thursday 21 August 2008.
A part of the problem experienced last year in Invercargill was Southern Region management’s refusing to continue to pay a minimum 3 hours for pre-arranged overtime – e.g. for Officer meetings.
Results of Ballot NORTHERN BRANCH PRESIDENT & SECRETARY As per the attached Ballot Declaration Forms, I hereby declare:
For the information of Members, please read the following from Craig Gold.
The Union is aware that the Capital Expenditure Program for the Christchurch Brigade has been altered, without consultation, by the Regional Commander Rob Saunders. The most disturbing matter that affects our members is the deletion of the funding for exhaust extraction systems for Woolston, Harewood and St Albans stations.
Members will, by now, have seen a request from Auckland Regional Management for members to submit comments and suggestions on the above document.
The Union understands that the Fire Service has again commenced communicating with Black Watch Workers regarding the use of Success Factors.
Members may be aware that recently there has been some debate about the correct standard of dress to be worn while attending fire calls.The Auckland Local advises members to follow the following guidelines when responding.
Further to Union Notice No. 10 – 12 June 2008.
The Union, the Chiefs & Deputies Society and the PSA met with Fire Service management Paula Beever, Janine Hearn (Director of Human resources) and Michelle Richards this morning.
By the closing date for nominations for positions in the Northern Branch, the following nominations had been received.
The dispute regarding the appointment process for two Assistant Fire Region Managers has been sent back by the Employment Court to the Employment Relations Authority for resolution, after holding it had no jurisdiction to order that the appointments of Messrs Ditmer and Boere not take place.
Transalpine Assistant Region Fire Commander Appointments The Union is advised that the Union’s and the Chiefs & Deputies Society’s appeal against their Interim Injunction application rejection in the Employment Relations Authority will be heard in the Employment Court, Wellington, on Thursday 29 May 2008.
The applications for an Interim Injunction restraining these appointments from the Union and the Chiefs and Deputies Society was heard on Friday 23 May commencing at 3pm.
Consequent on advice from the Fire Service Chief Executive that he has confirmed the
Members will by now have read Region Notices 44 and 46 from FRM Butt. The Auckland Local has some difficulties with a number of statements in those Region Notices.
Further to the last notice regarding alleged Officership Allowance overpayments, it has become obvious that the Fire Service are confused or have manipulated the amounts sought to be repaid. This is exactly the reason members have been advised to carefully check the Fire Service proposals and why the Union has sought for many years that any alleged over payment of wages be itemised on members payslips. The issues relating to the Unions concerns will be detailed in a further notice. Given the latest discrepancies with the repayments sought for the alleged Officership Allowance overpayment the Union recommends to members who may have commenced repayments or were considering this to cease paying any further amounts until all of the issues can be resolved with the Fire Service.
Close examination of the recent further demand from the Fire Service for the repayment of an alleged over-payment of the Officership Allowance is absolutely necessary
The Union is extremely concerned by the latest spin put out by Regional Commander Butt. He continues to distort the truth for his own nefarious reasons.
P.C.A. Payment This payment will be made to all eligible members Pay Day 20 May 2008.
The Union would like to remind members of a great statement:
The New Zealand Professional Firefighters Union has kick-started the Hamilton Firefighters Trust fund with $20,000.
Update – Hamilton 1. InquiryThe Fire Service has established an Inquiry into all factors – pre, during and after – relating to the Tamahere Road incident. A four person Inquiry Team has been formed and the Union will be represented by the Union President, Steve Warner.
The Union has formed a Charitable Trust - The Hamilton Firefighters Trust to receive donations to provide financial support and assistance to the families of those killed or injured at the Tamahere fire.
The Officers and Fire-fighters of the Wellington Local offer our sincerest condolences to you all for the heartbreaking loss of Brother Derek Lovell.
Members are updated on the conditions of the following firefighters who were injured in yesterday’s disaster in Hamilton:
The tragic events that have occurred in Hamilton yesterday afternoon have taken the life of our member, Senior Station Officer Derek Lovell.
Most members will be aware of these two recently announced appointments. The Union has severe reservations about both.
The Local is aware that there are civilian staff impersonating firefighters by wearing our uniform.
“Comments from John Key to a Christchurch radio station this morning have now confirmed National’s approach to worker rights this election,” Council of Trade Unions president Helen Kelly said today.
The Fire Service has advised the Union that in the calculation of back pay paid in Pay 13 last year (which effected the C.A. coming into force from 1 January 2007), the Officership Allowance was also back-dated to 1 January 2007, whereas the commencement date of the allowance was 1 July 2007. In effect the allowance was paid for six months where it was not required to be paid.
This is urgent - please act and pass this message on to friends, co-workers and colleagues.
The Union has become aware that the Type 5 Bronto, as commissioned in the Wellington Local, has the same electrical faults as the one that the Auckland Regional Manager is trying to commission in Auckland.
On Friday 25 January 2008 the Auckland Local lodged a formal dispute with the Department of Labour Mediation Service over the Fire Service insistence that they can arbitrarily direct members to attend Black Watch or any other training courses without that member’s consent, outside the provisions of Part 2 Clause 2 of the CEA which outlines the only mandatory courses for firefighters.
Today, the Union met with Regional Commander Butt and ARFM Binning over what we thought, was to discuss the introduction of the Mercedes Bronto Type 5 appliance to Parnell station, and what we had been advised, was the proposal to continue with the Aerialscope in Auckland City until the replacement Type 6 appliance, as promised by the CEO/NC, arrived ,or until such time as this appliance became unserviceable.
Members are advised of the results from the Special General Meeting held 18 December 2007 at the Johnsonville Rugby Club.
The Union has learned from concerned members that CFO Edwards and ADCFO Best have today visited the staff at Parnell Station and, on the orders of FRM Butt, have continued to try and intimidate the staff into believing that they are required, or can be forced, to attend a Black Watch course against their will.
Members are advised that as of 0700 hours, Tuesday 22 January 2008, the ban on manning Silverdale Yellow Watch is lifted. The positions will be covered by staff on overtime.
Members are advised that this afternoon the Auckland Regional Manager is escalating his bullying and intimidation tactics of our members, by ordering the Parnell Roster Officers to fill the vacancies that would have been created by the running of the Type 5 Train the Trainers Course scheduled for 29 January 2008.
Most members will have read the NTM of November 2007, in which the promise of the National Commander to supply a Type 6 Aerial appliance to Auckland is mentioned. Since the issue of this NTM the Auckland Local has written to Regional Manager Butt and requested a meeting to discuss, amongst other things, the progress being made on obtaining the promised Type 6. To date we have received no response.
By the closing date for nominations for positions on the Auckland Local Committee, the following nominations had been received.
The Petone Office will be closed until January 14th 2008.
The Auckland Local has received enquiries from one or two members regarding a proposal put to them by FRM Butt regarding Temporary Appointments under Section 66.
The Executive and Committee of the Auckland Local wish all members and their families a very Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year.
Your Representatives on the Christchurch Local wish all members of the Local a safe and happy Christmas and a great New Year.
Members are advised that the Local Executive, with Derek Best, met with regional managers to discuss where the 24/7 crewing would come from when the new station is built.
This notice is to remind staff of the principles agreed to between the NZFS and the Union regarding the taking of ALT days.