Annual General Meeting
Members are advised that the Auckland Local Annual General Meeting will be held on Friday 19 November 2004.
Members are advised that the Auckland Local Annual General Meeting will be held on Friday 19 November 2004.
Members will be aware of the Chief Executive’s recent whole country e-mail regarding Hours of Work.
On 21 October 2004 the Union presented a written submission on the above Bill to the Transport and Industrial Relations Committee (copy attached).
The Union’s position on members’ involvement on Interview Panels for appointment to positions covered by the Collective Agreement was outlined in Newsletter 3/2002.
Members are advised that Arapawa Regional Management have recommended the amalgamation of the Wellington North and South Districts to occur, subject to Commission approval, on 1 December 2004.
Members should be aware that during the last month or so, P.C.A. training runs through the course, either at Mt Wellington or Takapuna, have not been carried out as regularly as they were previously in the summer months.
The Working Party is making good progress on finalizing the details of a changed training and progression system.
Some members are being approached by District management seeking their involvement with a 360 Review of that management.
Members are asked to consider and submit remits for the National conference to the Local Secretary (address details on header) by 14 September 2004. Remits will be tabled at the Wellington AGM (date and location TBA) for ratification and submission to the National Conference in November.
The Local has become aware of some District management people asking Union members to fill out a 360 degree feedback review on them. Members are reminded that there was a recommendation from the National Union to Union members not to partake in any such feedback process.
Recently the Wellington Local has become aware that a member agreed to act in the capacity of a Station Officer pursuant to Section 66 despite not holding the Station Officers qualification.
Members are advised of a request by the district CFO ofWellington South. He requires indication of when members intend to take their ASL’s, in particular those members who have more than 6 ASL’s accumulated. This is apparently a budgetary issue and members are advised that they can be instructed to take their leave as per the collective. Strictly speaking, ASL’s should be treated as annual leave and have historically been allowed to be accumulated by agreement with CFO’s.
3% Pay Increase Members are reminded of the 3% increase on and from 1 July 2004, as delivered through the NZPFU Collective Agreement.
Members are advised of the results of the election and nomination process recently held. There will be a ballot for the Presidents position with the nominees being Morgan Wills and Rob Hutchison. Rob has also stood for the Vice Presidents position so we are unable to confirm the two top positions at this stage. Positions confirmed are: Secretary: Ian Wright Wgtn North reps: Gary Johnston, Steve Hudson and Mike Tofts Hutt Reps: Brendon Grylls, Danny Beban, Malcom Hodgson Wgtn South: Steve Field, Shane Hegan The Wgtn south district is still short one rep, so anyone who wishes to take up position, please contact Secretary. Same applies for Central Comcen, we have no nominations for this position. Positions are current from 1 August 2004. Many thanks to those who contributed for the last term and who are standing down this year. Especially to parting President Jeff Keeys who spent many years on the Local committee. Ballot papers are being drawn up this week and will be distributed through Local reps so that members can vote.
Members should be aware that it is not mandatory to enter all details of an accident into the OSH Kiosk themselves to receive benefits under A.C.C.
On Thursday 10 June the Union and the Fire Service were in mediation with the Employment Authority regarding the ongoing employment relationship dispute with respect to Days in Lieu.
The Union has a date – Thursday 10 June – for mediation with the Fire Service concerning the Union’s contention that as a result of the new legislation, Days in Lieu for working Public Holidays are not correctly provided for.
The Union is continuing to receive questions regarding participation in the Colmar Brunton Survey. Copied below is the part of NTM No.10, which detailed the Union Committee’s recommendation not to participate, and the reasons for this recommendation.
Members are advised that all Local executive rep positions and office holders (Pres, V Pres and Sec) are due for election this August.
Colmar Brunton Survey Members were advised in Newsletter No. 8 that, on an interim basis, members were recommended not to participate in any way with this survey.
ANZAC Day – 25 April – is now subject to the same arrangements regarding Days in Lieu and payment rate as all other Statutory Holidays.
Recently the Fire Service has advised members of their intention to undertake a survey of all personnel in May/June regarding what they think of the Fire Service, and conducted by Colmar Brunton.
The Fire Service’s response to Union Newsletter 6/2003 – e-mail Friday 9 April – simply restates the Fire Service’s position as it was before the enactment of the new legislation.
Members will be aware from the Union’s previous Notice to Members No.5/2004 regarding Statutory Holidays payment and Days in Lieu entitlement that the Union is of the view that members are not being provided their proper entitlements that arise out of the Holidays Act 2003 commencing on 1 April.
For the most part, the provisions of this Act come into force on 1 April 2004 (the minimum 4 weeks leave entitlement comes into force on 1 April 2007).
The Union wishes to again inform members of the Fire Service’s intention to pay the PCA annual allowance.
This Working Party has had its initial meeting and the Joint Statement copied below outlines the future work and direction of the Working Party.
Members are advised that further to NTM 03-04 20 February 2004 and ARFC e-mail last week;
Members will be well aware of the recent floods throughout the region last week. As a result of this, members’ PPE should be considered as contaminated with faecal matter. This includes level 2 bunker coats, overtrousers, gloves and gumboots.
Diary The Union has decided to produce a Diary for 2004 itself. Consequently, the Diary will be smaller because it will not include advertising.
Members should be aware that due to the continual run down and Band-Aid servicing of the two TTL’s reg. no. OM3919 and NT7872 this local (and senior instructors on these appliances) have little faith in their safe operation.
The Union considers that it is an opportune time now that the summer season is upon us, to remind members of the precautions to take while wearing Structural Firefighting Apparel during hot weather or in high temperature firefighting conditions.
It has been brought to this Local’s attention that there is an inconsistency in the Arapawa Best Practice manual regarding appointed relievers and what is actually happening in the districts.
On 18 December the Union’s Committee, along with representatives of the Chiefs and Deputy Chiefs Association, met with the Fire Service Senior Management Team with the objective of developing a Partnership Protocol.
Conference 2003 was very successfully held in Auckland 9–11 December. Presentations included: Russell Fairbrother on behalf of George Hawkins, Minister of Internal Affairs. Sergeant Mike Beale – N.Z. Police, on the Fire Service’s role in dealing with clandestine drug labs particularly those manufacturing methamphetamine. Mike noted the very significant increase in the number of these labs being detected. He emphasized the dangers involved, considering the type and storage of the various chemicals involved. Mike Hall, who spoke on the Review of the Fire Service presently underway with an expected outcome of a Fire Service Bill for next year. Innotech – This was an Australian Company developing high-tech equipment for firefighters. The presentation covered two products: Guardian Communications - This is a radio system able to be connected either directly to a helmet, or to a B.A. face mask. Guardian Incident Control Unit - This is a computerized Incident Control System that allows rapid communication of Incident Ground Information. As well as the usual matters considered (e.g. Protective Clothing, Occupational Health & Safety), a matter of concern raised by Delegates was the operation of the Fire Service Claims Management Unit, arising out of the A.C.C. Partnership Programme.
Members are reminded of the new policy adopted by the Superannuation Scheme Trustees regarding joining the Scheme after 3 months of being employed.
A final resolution of this Dispute has now been reached.
Consequent on the ratification of the Collective Agreement, the Agreement has now been signed. The Union understands the new rates of pay will be implemented on the Payday 29 October (Pay 16) – and the backpay back to 1 July 2003 will also be paid that day. That backpay will include overtime worked since 1 July as well as any allowances claimed.
"That the proposed Settlement of September 2003 be accepted”
Members will be aware that the state of Arapawa’s appliances are in a shocking state. When appliances have to go off the run for various reasons and relief appliances are obtained, members are advised to be very vigilant as to the worthiness of these relief trucks. Do not accept inferior equipment at any stage, especially appliances. Check the vehicles out thoroughly, test the pump. Lets make sure we don’t “make do” This is what management are doing and relying on us to do. If it means that there are no more relief pumps at all, then that has to be, Ring your Union representative and ring the Chief Fire Officer and ask him where are they going to get another appliance from. This is especially interesting when some composite stn volunteer pumps are K’0’d during the day and still have trouble responding at nightsand some stand alone volunteer stations have 2 pumps. It would be extremely embarrassing for management to be asked why a crew of four paid to be at work were not able to respond in a fire appliance to a call when the volunteer stn down the road had 2 sitting there doing nothing. Please be vigilant and aware
Members should be aware that training / practice evolutions for the PCA will be conducted later this year.
The front page of Newsletter 13/2003 contains an error in that the bullet points commencing “Working Parties” and “Greater flexibility” have been transposed.
After some weeks of what proved to be complex negotiations, the Union Committee is in a position to recommend to members a proposed settlement for ratification.
Members are reminded that a national policy exists pertaining to entitlements for those persons attending recognised Fire Service courses such as Phase courses, Drivers courses, Vehicle Extrication courses etc but does not encompass local “in service” training days such as refreshers. Only established Courses recognised by the Professional Development Unit and Regional Training departments are applicable.
Members are advised that there is a written agreement between the Fire Service CEO and the National Union regarding rehabilitation of injured workers. In short, the agreement states, “As far as practicable, rehabilitation will take place on an employee’s normal shifts.”
Agreement negotiations re-commenced on Friday 4 July. Prior to that meeting, the Union Committee received a briefing on TAPs development. Coming out of this were a number of matters of detail requiring further discussion. The Fire Service negotiators indicated they were at the limit of their bargaining authorities and would need to seek further guidance from the Commission and other agencies such as the State Services Commission. A further meeting is scheduled for 17 July. Auckland - Integration This matter was last reported on in Newsletter No.6/2003. That Newsletter advised, amongst other things, that the Fire Service had filed in the Employment Court for an injunction to restrain alleged strike action and to prevent unlawful picketing. As a result of that action, further unsuccessful mediation was held. The Fire Service has now advised that they do not intend to proceed their action on an interim basis (i.e. seeking an interim injunction), but will proceed to a full hearing. It is expected that this will occur in the first half of September. As noted in Newsletter No.6/2003, the Fire Service continued to name as first Defendants, individual Union officials: Mike McEnaney, Athol Conway and Jeff McCulloch. The Union is named as Second Defendant. Other Issues Recognition of prior service with State Agencies for Service Holidays (i.e. after 7 after 7 year’s service). Since the inception of Service Holidays, it had been agreed that service with various State Agencies (e.g. Armed Forces, Public Service etc.) would count towards the 7 year qualifying requirement for Service Holidays.
As some members may have noticed, the pay sheet covering Pay Period No. 7 has incorrect printing with regard to the total gross amount.
Members of the Superannuation Scheme will have received a form from the Scheme to be used if you wish to directly forward the P.C.A. payment into the Superannuation Scheme as a voluntary contribution.
Members have been updated in newsletters and memos on the progress of the development of the P.C.A. and associated matters – most recently in Newsletter 4/2003 of 9 May 2003. That newsletter advised that the only outstanding matter was the finalisation of the payment for undertaking the assessment.
The Union can update members on events relating to the Fire Service’s intention to integrate Silverdale persons into Auckland Districts, and the information in Newsletter 5/2003.
Auckland - Integration of Silverdale PersonsAlthough management intended to commence this integration last Monday, in fact none of the Silverdale transferees have set foot on any of the Stations they have been transferred to.
In addition to the information circulated in NTM No. 4, the Union can advise that papers have now been received seeking a formal Notice of Application for Interim Injunction – seeking to stop strike action and prevent unlawful picketing. A hearing is planned for 15 May 2003, with further mediation prior to the hearing.
Members should be aware of ramifications when allowing building occupants back into an evacuated building. Advice is that the alarm system may not be working and therefore they may not have an operable evacuation scheme. This local recommends to members that care is taken when talking to the building owner / agent to let them know this information. And that they the owners / agents take responsibility for the re-entry of occupiers.
Members will be aware that the new agreement for attending training courses and associated entitlements has now been promulgated and therefore it would appear to be in effect.