The Union refers to the letter from the Fire Service of 15 December, which can only be described as a further attempt to intimidate members into repaying an alleged amount that the Fire Service has still not established as having been overpaid.
The Executive and Committee of the Auckland Local wish all members and their families a very Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year.
The Auckland Local has obtained possession of a document written by Dr Paula Beever outlining the Fire Service’s view of the future of our organisation.
Further to: Union Newsletter No. 23 – 1 December 2008 Northern Branch Newsletter No.22 – 2 December 2008.
The Union is aware that FRM Butt has issued a Region Notice in which he calls for registration of interest in two secondment positions to Acting Deputy Chief Fire Officer.
Members may well be aware of the recent Gazette Notice 24/2008 regarding Fire Risk Management Officer, Auckland Region (Vacancy # 139/2008 – Multiple Vacancies).
The fire service recently placed a Vacancy notice on the Intranet for “Fire Risk Management Officer, Auckland Region”. This notice indicated that there were multiple vacancies.
The Union is advised that the Employment Relations Authority has now forwarded the Fire Service’s statement to those persons the alleged overpayment was made to.
The Auckland Local met on Friday with FRM Butt and AFRM Binning to attempt to resolve the dispute over the unilateral alteration of workload and the comparisons of work of officers and stations being carried out in some Districts.
It is timely to remind members of the underlying principles of SMS, as there appears to be differing interpretations between the NZPFU and Region Management of the meaning of Part 6 Schedule 5 of the Collective Agreement
Members are hereby advised that a dispute now exists between the Auckland Local and the New Zealand Fire Service, Auckland Region, over the unilateral imposition of additional targets for the 405 programme and additional work with the 408 training, without consultation, as required by Part 6 Schedule 5 Clause 6.5.3 of the Collective Agreement for Uniformed and Communication Centre Employees.
Members will be aware that because of the present global recession, our Super Fund has been subject to the same losses as everyone else.
The Union is aware of the understandable concerns and questions being discussed by members relating to Superannuation generally, and your Union Trustees are working hard to have these addressed.
The Auckland Local wishes to remind members that this Saturday is an important day in terms of your future employment.
Members are advised that there will be a special general meeting to discuss any appropriate action over the proposed sacking of Chief Jon Graham, Wellington Fire District.
The Auckland Local Committee was delighted to read that the contract for these ill conceived vehicles had been cancelled, but was then mortified to see that the Fire Service’s intention was to recall for tenders for these vehicles.
Please see below:
The Auckland Local was recently advised by Regional Management that there had been between 70 and 80 Halfway/Boarding houses identified in the Auckland Area that had only a 2 pump response. These are only the ones that have been identified so far. All members know that there are many more which have not yet been identified.
Hamilton Firefighters Trust Fund Donations to the Union Trust Fund eventually totalled just over $70,000 – a tremendous achievement and overwhelming from Firefighters (including Volunteers), and also Firefighter colleagues from Australia.
Alleged Officership Overpayment The Union is informed that the Fire Service Commission has filed proceedings with the Employment Relations Authority against 392 Officers (the Union is not named as a party) regarding this alleged over-payment.
The Local finds it disturbing that Fire Service Senior Management should introduce equipment on to front line appliances after the same equipment was overwhelmingly rejected by members after trials in the Auckland Fire Brigade. It was found that the LMR units were very difficult to use because the ½ second pressure requirement and the movement of the vehicle caused numerous false status signals to be sent. It was explained to Management that the units were not user friendly and should be removed from the vehicles they were fitted to for the trial. This request was granted, and the units were removed. It is unfortunate to see that after about a year, they have reappeared.
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.