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.
The Local has had enquiries from members regarding requirements to standby at fires in other fire districts. The locals advice that this may be the case once the fire district in question has used all their own members for said standby.
Members are advised that the Local has been in discussion with management on our belief that members can not be made to relieve inter-district. Management has disputed this. As such the Local has adopted the preferred approach of dealing with disputes whereby the status quo remains in place until the dispute is resolved. Therefore the recommendation to members in NTM 05/02 is on hold. The Local will be pursuing this with the National Union. Training Course Attendance Members are advised that there have been many changes with this agreement. The National Union will promulgate the final agreement. The agreement can be summarised by the following: 1. 5 day courses & longer - Black watch 2 clear days off before and after the course 2. 3 & 4 day courses - Placed on black watch for the duration of the course with 2 clear days off before and after the course 3. Note, Clear days run midnight to midnight 4. 1 & 2 day courses - Work usual roster - OT paid if course is on any non work day If applicable, night shift off immediately before, during or after the course completion.
Members are advised that it is the policy of this local that appliances will not be de-manned due to no overtime being found. We have an agreement from the Regional commander that in the event of extreme shortages and if no other option at all exists the On Call CFO/DCFO is to be contacted. The On Call CFO/DCFO has the authority to make a decision to allow available personnel to work the required shift (in excess of the guidelines) in this emergency situation and authorise reasonable stand-down time to ensure that individuals are not exposed to extreme workloads or stress. There are limitations to this moving between ranks and acting up and acting down rules apply. The member should in essence be stood down from routine duties for the 3rd shift to rest.
Members are advised that the Wellington Trial for the PCA will commence on 10 June 2002 in the Kilbirnie Station Yard.
This years conference was held in Palmerston North 26-28 November. For members information, there are 19 locals around the country and each local is entitled to send a representative, generally the Secretary. The conference is also attended by the 3 branch committee’s (Northern, Central and Southern) and the Branchs’ 3 officials. The President, Vice President and Secretary were also in attendance making the number attending the conference 31.