Last Friday (15th March 2024) NZPFU Tauranga and Kawerau Local Secretaries and Presidents and I met with National Commander Russell Woods, District Manager Jeff Maunder and Workplace Relations Senior Advisor Mike Todd in Tauranga.
The second of the Movember-funded wellbeing survey is well underway and due to be closed on 2 April 2024.
The NZPFU urges all members who participated in the March 2023 survey to participate in the March 2024 survey.
The Auckland Local has been working on behalf of members since mid-January to resolve the issue of legitimate travel time payments declined while attending training courses throughout Tāmaki Makaurau and at the Auckland Regional Training Centre.
The second of the Movember-funded wellbeing survey opens today.
The NZPFU urges all members who participated in the March 2023 survey to participate in the March 2024 survey.
In reference to the National Notice to Members published on 28 January 2024 regarding Blood Screening Programme for NZPFU Members - Firefighters, Trainers and Fire Investigators.
The Auckland Local Committee would like to remind Officers and Firefighters of the challenging work environment for our Comcen staff.
The Union has arranged for a representative from Protect to visit several stations over four days.
We refer Members to the 12th February 2024 notice where we notified members it was not in their interests to respond to the new Code of Conduct.
Members are advised that during a 5th alarm response in Auckland a serious near miss occurred while deploying lengths of 90mm Fireflex stainless banded hose from the hose layer. Lengths of the hose failed with the coupling coming off under pressure leaving the hose flailing about.
On Thursday afternoon FENZ verbally informed the NZPFU that a new code of conduct would be distributed organisation wide today for feedback. The NZPFU immediately objected on the basis that the code of conduct sets out the standards on which disciplinary action including dismissal can be determined. The security of employment and income is one of the most basic and serious terms of employment for employees.
As members will be aware, there have been significant delays and challenges in getting the appropriate systems in place or updated to accurately reflect the changes resulted from the collective bargaining settled in December 2022.
The long-awaited information to access the blood screening programme for firefighters, trainers and fire investigators is here!
The long-awaited information to access the blood screening programme for firefighters, trainers and fire investigators is here!
The long-awaited information to access the blood screening programme for firefighters, trainers and fire investigators is here!
It’s been a while since my last blog, and deliberately so as everyone is suffering some form of fatigue, whether it be working, struggling with payroll issues and post negotiation fatigue, I know it took a lot out of us all. I know I’m feeling it as the year came to an end and the new year starts.
At this time of year our thoughts are with our members who selflessly leave their families and friends to celebrate the season while they work to protect and serve the community. It is a reality of the job that our members are rostered on public holidays and weekends. We acknowledge and appreciate the families and friends who accept that reality and adapt celebrations and traditions to fit in with rosters.
By the closing date for nominations for the position of Hamilton Local Vice President, the following nomination has been received.
Following a trial taken in Auckland Central District, and in the interest of providing Firefighters with consistent and quality post fire management, both Counties Manukau and Waitemata Districts have undertaken to rollout Post Fire Management Capability in their Districts. This resource has been funded locally at the request of the Auckland Local.
Post the Loafers Lodge fire the NZPFU organised a lawyer to assist members to draft affidavits that could be provided for any internal or external inquiry into the matter. It was obvious there would be coroners hearings, likely criminal charges and various inquiries including a FENZ review. We wanted to ensure our members could collate their information as soon as practicable to the event into an affidavit that could be presented in any inquiry or legal forum. We also wanted to mitigate the harm caused when having to repeatedly recall in detail involvement in traumatic events such as the Loafers Lodge fire.
Nominations are hereby called for the following position in accordance with the Rules of the New Zealand Professional Firefighters Union.
By the closing date for nominations for the position of Hamilton Local President, the following nomination has been received.
The Northern Drivers’ Charitable Trust is offering a scholarships to assist union members or their families to assist with training or re-training in any trade, skill or tertiary study.
Various NZPFU members have been reporting receiving emails containing a “lawful directive” to participate in employment investigations. The implication of the email is that those that refuse to participate may be subject to disciplinary action themselves for failing to comply with the “directive”.
Nominations are hereby called for the following position in accordance with the Rules of the New Zealand Professional Firefighters Union.
The Auckland Local Committee would like to remind Officers and Firefighters of the challenging work environment for our Comcen staff.
By the closing date for nominations for the position of Rotorua Local Vice President, the following nomination has been received.
By the closing date for nominations for the position of Hamilton Local Secretary, the following nomination has been received.
Nominations are hereby called for the following position in accordance with the Rules of the New Zealand Professional Firefighters Union.
Nominations are hereby called for the following position in accordance with the Rules of the New Zealand Professional Firefighters Union.
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The Report of the Whanaungatanga Wellbeing Survey is grim reading with nearly one in three career firefighters meeting the criteria for one or more mental ill health indicators and Communication Centre dispatchers reporting this highest rates of mental health issues when compared to other roles in the organisation. In addition to the exposures to trauma through emergency response, the survey found only 6.6% career firefighters felt supported by FENZ as an organisation.
Members have a range of issues from queries to known errors in their pay and back-pay. I met with relevant FENZ management late last week to get a picture of what was happening and timelines for resolution.
An important part of 2023 settlement of the collective agreement - the NZPFU initiated Psychological Support and Supervision Pilot – is now underway.
NZPFU members who work in regional training roles are being advised by FENZ of a review of the selection processes for the positions filled during the recent People Branch Reset.
Following the tragedy of the Loafers lodge fire, it has been established that one of the challenges facing our Risk Reduction Teams is the ability to identify high-risk buildings that are providing transient accommodation within our communities.
In the last notice that was sent out I updated you on the work of the Equipment Working Group.
Yesterday NZPFU members were emailed the links to the income protection insurance zoom meetings being held at 1300 and 1900 hours starting today and being held every day until and including Friday.
This notice is to inform you that the AGM for the Christchurch Local of the NZPFU, will be held on Thursday 10th August 2023 at Christchurch City Fire Station, starting at 0830. It would be appreciated if the on-duty City SSO could please co-ordinate any truck movements required.
The poll results for the elections of the Northern Branch President and Vice Presidents are below.
As a result of the Collective Agreement Bargaining for our CEA the NZPFU entered into three working groups with Fire and Emergency.
Wednesday 23rd of August Starting 8:30am
Venue: Mt Maunganui Fire Station
Members are advised that pursuant to Union Rule B.15.11, notice is given for the Auckland Local Annual General Meeting to be held on Friday 18 August 2023.
With only 6 days to go until the election for the Northern Branch President and Vice-President ends, it has been brought to my attention that some members have had problems finding their secure voting link.
NZPFU Members are already joining the Protect Income Protection scheme prior to membership meetings being held in Auckland and Wellington this week and Christchurch and Dunedin next week.
Nominations are hereby called from Union Members for Local Committee positions.
FENZ’S own investigation into the deaths of two Muriwai Volunteer firefighters exposes systemic failures by the organisation in planning, hazard identification, training and appropriate resourcing. The report was hot on the heels of a damning NZQA External Evaluation Review Report into FENZ-provided volunteer firefighter training.
In accordance with the settlement of the collective agreement the following payments will be made.
The NZPFU National Committee is pleased to announce the Income Protection Group scheme is now available for NZPFU members to join.
FENZ has confirmed that the PCA Allowance will be paid on 28 June 2023.
In accordance with the NZPFU Rules Northern Branch members are informed that an election for the Northern Branch President and the Northern Branch Vice President elections will be held electronically.
The Employment Court has agreed with the NZPFU position that firefighters should be paid 1.5 times the overtime rate for the hours worked on overtime on a public holiday. FENZ has only been paying 1.5 times the ordinary hourly rate resulting in firefighters working overtime on public holidays only being paid the same as those working their usual hours and not on overtime.
Following the close of nominations for the election of the Northern Branch positions of Branch Secretary, Branch President and Branch Vice President, I had received one nomination for Branch Secretary Position, and two nominations for the Branch President and three nominations for the Vice President positions.
Following the close of nominations for the election of the Central Branch positions of Branch Secretary, Branch President and Branch Vice President, there is one nomination for each Branch Position.
Following the close of nominations for the election of the Southern Branch positions of Branch Secretary, Branch President and Branch Vice President, I had received one nomination for each position.
The NZPFU National Committee is thrilled to announce an enhanced income protection/life policy has been negotiated and will be available for members very shortly.