WARNING TO MEMBERS - Impersonating Firefighters
The Local is aware that there are civilian staff impersonating firefighters by wearing our uniform.
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.
The Auckland Local negotiators met with FRM Butt and AFRM Binning on Friday 7 December regarding progress on the change of Silverdale Station from Yellow Watch to Rotating Shift.
Nominations are hereby called for the following positions:
Members will be aware of the Vice President’s health problems whilst representing the Auckland Local at the Annual Union Conference.
Most members will by now have read the latest spin from Regional Commander Butt on several issues which are of interest to the Auckland Local and its members.
Members are reminded that it is Union policy, which has been enforced for a considerable time, that members, when performing Training Instructor duties for "1 Day Courses" such as First Aid and CFBT, must not be on duty and part of MSM.
Members will be aware of the issues surrounding Silverdale Station and its manning. The present situation is that the conversion from Yellow Watch to 24/7 manning is progressing to the satisfaction of the Auckland Local Executive. The National Secretary has written to the NZFS National Commander/Chief Executive outlining the Union’s position, and we have received positive verbal feedback through the Director of Operations and Training.
Members should be aware that the next round of PCA practices and runs are due by next year. These are starting tomorrow in Wellington and it is timely to remind everyone of the approved and agreed process when undertaking the PCA.
The Auckland Local Committee wishes to meet with members to provide them with an update on issues surrounding Silverdale.
The New Zealand Professional Firefighters Union has serious concerns for the public safety of residents and ratepayers of Auckland’s North Shore.
Members will be aware of the Union’s current position on Silverdale.
The Union advises members that in relation to the Silverdale action being taken, no member accepts overtimes at Silverdale.
The Auckland Local held a Special Meeting on Monday 8 October to discuss the issues surrounding Silverdale Manning. The Committee invited along our members who were until recently, working at Silverdale, to give an overview of the problems that arise there.
It has been brought to the Union’s attention that the CFO Wgtn Fire District has withdrawn the SO vacancy at Karori Stn and re advertised it as an SSO vacancy and that this position will be a Station OIC role.
The Union is becoming increasingly concerned regarding the ability to maintain MSM, especially in the weekends.
Members will probably be aware of recent difficulties being experienced by Rosters Department staff in maintaining MSM, particularly at weekends. This has been caused by a number of factors, not the least of which has been the reluctance of some members to commit to working additional shifts over the weekend.
a) Stand-insIf a stand-in is undertaken on a Public Holiday, the person actually working the Public Holiday will be entitled to the Alternative Holiday.
SMS – Annual Service Leave Service Leave is expected to be taken within the year it is earned. SMS therefore resets ASL balances at Anniversary Date to the 3 or 4 days as appropriate.
Members are advised of a significant change in the way ASL’s are managed due to the SMS Rostering system. The new SMS system will not carry over any unused ASL’s. The old system used to allow this due to it’s non automation and the non existence of business rules presently written into the payroll program.
In an effort to update and inform as many members as possible, the Auckland Local Committee recommends all members sign up to the ‘E’ Text Messaging System on the Union website.
At a meeting of the Auckland Local Committee on 10th August the following resolution was passed.
Collective Agreement a) Wages:
Members are advised that the Auckland Local Annual General Meeting will be held on Friday 31 August 2007.
Attached for members’ information is a memo from the Fire Service regarding Leave Balances in SMS Roster.
As per the attached Ballot Declaration Form, I hereby declare:
The Auckland Local advises members that we will be holding ratification meetings on Wednesday 25 July and Thursday 26 July to enable as many members (on/off duty) to attend and have their vote.
Members are advised that two ratification meetings will be held to ratify the collective agreement.
Final Wording of the proposed renewed Collective Agreement has now been finalized between the Union and the Fire Service. This is undoubtedly the most complex and wide-ranging proposed settlement negotiated by the Union for many years. Particularly with a proposal to settle the Days in Lieu litigation and the Union achieving overall more than could be expected if the Union was successful in the Supreme Court, this proposed settlement delivers significant gains for members.
The New Zealand Professional Firefighters Union wishes to bring to members’ attention the matter of Kiwi Saver Superannuation, which is being rolled out by the Government from the 1st July 2007.
Request from National Office for districts to participate in the above programme was forwarded to Chief Fire Officers in mid May. A key feature of the programme was that to enroll an agreement by consultation between career stations, officers, local union delegates and the Chief Fire Officer was required.
The Union has become aware that the Auckland Regional Manager has directed the Auckland Region CFO’s and DCFO’s to order their staff to desist from faxing the ‘Daily Summary of Pay Claims’ to the Pay Office in Wellington.
The Union is aware that the Injury Management Unit from Wellington is visiting members in terms of their ACC claims, which under the ACC Partnership Programme, the Fire Service manages.
In response to the various rumours currently circulating about Union Finances, including rumours of misappropriation of Union funds, the Union Committee called a Special Conference on 11 June 2007 to fully brief Conference Delegates on the true situation. The Union’s lawyer was also present.