NOTICE TO HAMILTON LOCAL MEMBERS
By the closing date for nominations for the position of Hamilton Local Secretary, 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.
The NZPFU is hosting an event to celebrate 40 plus years of women career firefighters with special tributes to Anne Barry and Elizabeth England who were the first women career firefighters in New Zealand and the Commonwealth. Anne Barry battled for the right to transition from the communications call centre to career firefighting taking her case to the Human Rights Commission, the Equal Opportunities Commission and to Parliament before finally being accepted in 1981 on the career recruits course with Elizabeth England.
A Service of Remembrance for those that lost their lives or were impacted by the tragic Loafers Lodge fire will be held this Thursday.
Worksafe has issued FENZ with a notice requiring FENZ to review all Asbestos Management Plans (AMPs) to ensure they are implemented, monitored and effective. The Provisional Improvement Notice (PIN) refers to ALL AMPs which means it applies to all FENZ owned/leased/occupied/used buildings across the country.
Nominations are called for the positions of President, Vice-President and Secretary for the Northern Branch.
Nominations are called for the positions of President, Vice-President and Secretary for the Central Branch.
Nominations are called for the positions of President, Vice-President and Secretary for the Southern Branch.
Following the close of the ballot for the election of Rotorua Local President (see attached for details), I hereby declare: BLAIR TROTMAN duly elected.
The tragic fire at Loafers Lodge last Monday will result in various internal and external inquiries including police investigations, criminal charges, coronial inquiries and FENZ operational reviews and investigations. NZPFU members want to ensure that the loved ones of the deceased get the answers they need. It is important that the full picture is presented to the various inquiries, and that information is accurate and provided in context.
It was with a heavy heart that many of us woke this morning to the news of the tragic hostel accommodation fire in Wellington. We send our deepest sympathy to the loved ones of the deceased, those injured and those that survived unscathed but have lost their home and friends. We understand there was a sense of community in the Loafers Lodge hotel in Newtown and the impact will be felt by many.
Whilst Auckland and Northland firefighters, both career and volunteer, are facing yet another 1 in 100 year flood this year, it is apparent that climate change is here to stay. We need to ensure we adapt and remain vigilant to ensure that safety remains paramount for both the public of New Zealand and us as rescuers.
More than 12 years after the tragic 22 February 2011 earthquake the 7th and last fire station re-build will be celebrated with the official opening of the Christchurch City Station.
By the closing date for nominations for the position of Rotorua Local President, the following nominations have been received.
NZPFU members and representatives will be attending and speaking at Workers Memorial Day events around the country today.
The NZPFU is currently in discussions with two providers for income protection insurance for members. This process has taken far longer than
we envisaged and much of the delay stems from the impact of extreme weather events on insurance companies. The NZPFU National Committee is
committed to ensuring we have procured the most effective policy for members and is carefully considering either option. We expect to
be able to make an announcement shortly.
The NZPFU has commissioned independent specialist advice and testing as a result of the confirmed presence of asbestos during renovations at
Auckland City Station yesterday.
FENZ has confirmed the backpay for the NZPFU members covered by the collective employment agreement will be paid on 3 May 2023. At
the time of ratification it was indicated that the backpay would be paid in the first pay in May.
It is with great sadness that we inform members that NZPFU life member Jack Glassford (formally of the Gisborne Local) passed away after a short illness on Tuesday morning.
The type 3 acquisition project is entering stage 4 of the project which includes operational user evaluation of the appliances at selected fire stations. The trial will generate lots of interest. The suppliers are in competition and must have a level playing field. Any public comments could cause a supplier to take legal action resulting in considerable delay for the project.
Make Dental Care Free for All is an online petition calling on the Government to bring universal dental care into the public healthcare system to make it free for all.
Due to the recent resignation of the Rotorua Local President, nominations are hereby called for this position in accordance with the Rules of the New Zealand Professional Firefighters Union.
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Overall there has been reasonable response to the Whanaungatanga Programme Wellbeing Survey but we would appreciate a greater participation rate to ensure the survey results are given the weight needed.
A very important piece of work requires your personal and our collective attention.
There are various inquiries established to look into the recent extreme weather events and the response by FENZ including FENZ reviews, Worksafe investigations and Coroners inquests.
The NZPFU has agreed to this week’s training commencing in Rotorua tomorrow (Tuesday 28 March 2023) on the following basis...
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Members are urged to ensure they complete the Movember-funded Whanaungatanga Programme Wellbeing Survey before it closes on the 30th March 2023.
The NZPFU advises its members that it is NOT in their interests to attend the specialist water response force training commencing in Rotorua next Tuesday 28 March 2023.