We have NZPFU members with views across the spectrum on the issue of the Covid-19 vaccination programme. Some have made their decision, some are still looking for answers. We have organised a Q and A session for those with questions to be answered.
We have still not received any confirmation from Government of the scope and impact of any pending mandatory vaccination orders. The NZPFU National Committee met this afternoon to discuss the issues that would arise if an applicable mandatory vaccination order was implemented, and the various scenarios our members would face.
This afternoon Minister Chris Hipkins announced a Cabinet decision to require teachers and most healthcare workers to be Covid-19 vaccinated. The Minister specifically referred to a range of roles in the health sector including paramedics but firefighters were not mentioned.
In 2020 the NZPFU and FENZ agreed to a Covid-19 voluntary vaccination roll-out plan that also protected the right of personnel to keep their vaccination-status confidential.
Due to the Auckland borders remaining in place we have decided to further postpone the NZPFU to commemorate 40 years of professional career women firefighters.
It has been brought to the Auckland Local’s attention that it has been discovered that the TFT 25mm Gforce hosereel nozzles are designed to a European specification, which is for low pressure nozzles, and have a maximum working pressure of 16 bar (1600 kPa) instead of the hose reel pressure version specified at 40 bar (4000 kPa).
The Government has announced proposed changes to ACC that will impact on firefighters’ occupational disease and cancer claims but does not go far enough.
I hereby declare: Bradley Kenneth Johnston, Elected Invercargill Local Vice President.
Members have reported some Managers are intending to apply the transfers and vacancies policy across the new larger districts. Managers cannot unilaterally impose this change. There are provisions in the NZPFU collective agreement that must be considered and applied.
This week, Tāmaki Makaurau will lose some of its most experienced and long serving Commanders through retirement.
Due to the impact of Covid-19 restrictions, the NZPFU hosted celebration to commemorate 40 years of career women firefighters will now be held on 12 October 2021.
The following letter of support has been received from the Central Branch of the NZPFU.
Trainers are advised it is not in their best interests to provide a FENZ online evaluation (survey) to trainees.
This last year has been one of uncertainty, with a generational change in the structure of the administration side of our organisation.
The lack of planning and procurement of aerial appliances continues to bite around the country. For the rest of this week Christchurch will be without a heavy aerial as it will be undergoing its scheduled annual certification which takes the appliance off the road for at least 3 days.
Nominations are hereby called from Union Members for Local Committee position as below.
This year marks the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the Pentagon and World Trade Centre.
Today marks the 40th anniversary of the graduation of the first women career firefighters in the Commonwealth – Anne Barry and the late Liz England.
The NZPFU advises all members not to use the QSI masks and instead to only use the 3M masks issued.
As advised in Auckland Local Notice to Members 21-53 dated 2 August 2021, Fire and Emergency has recently asked for nominations for the 2021 Te Hiku Celebrating Success Awards.
Covid-19 restrictions can result in unexpected or new issues arising. Members can always seek union support and representation if there are personal circumstances that require assistance.
Last month FENZ released its proposed Technical Competency Framework with a deadline of 5pm on 19 September 2021 for feedback.
The Tauranga Local AGM will be held on Thursday 16th September @ 8.30am venue TBC.
Once again, due to years of neglect and mismanagement, Auckland’s high reach aerial fleet is down to just one.
Three days of bargaining were postponed due to the national lockdown. Bargaining will recommence this week through virtual meetings. It is not ideal but the best option to avoid lengthy delays.
It’s been a minute, firstly, I feel extremely privileged to have been re-elected as President for the NZPFU. It is an honour to be elected into my second term as president and I am looking forward to working with Joe Stanley on a number of pressing issues as well as building on the important foundation work we have already done over the last three years.
The NZPFU has confirmed with the National Commander that VSOs are not to be expected to pick up additional workloads when Tranche 2 stands up next month. Unreasonable workloads are a health and safety issue.
In April this year an investigation into complaints made by firefighters against management behaviour at one station ticked over its three year anniversary. By 30 April this year FENZ had spent $174,428.39 excluding GST on the investigation – more than $162,000 was paid to the investigator and $11,662 spent on staff travel and accommodation.
Recently the NZPFU became aware of a FENZ Subject Matter Expert role description which blatantly discriminated against union representatives.
Earlier this year the NZPFU walked away from the supposed “design” of a Technical Competency Framework (TCF) as it was fundamentally flawed as discussions were based around avoiding current rank and command requirements so that FENZ could appoint non-qualified or insufficiently experienced personnel to the ranks of Commander and Assistant Commander.
With NZ plunging back into Level 4 across the country from tonight, we will recommence our Covid-19 communications system commencing with a 1300hrs conference call tomorrow (Wednesday) 18 August.
The NZPFU’s challenge of FENZ’s interpretation of “relevant daily pay” for the purposes of calculating public holiday payments heads into mediation on Tuesday.
So much for being in one waka… doing the right thing… serving and supporting… being better together!
The NZPFU and FENZ have a three-day bargaining meeting scheduled for next week and it is at that meeting FENZ will respond to the NZPFU claims.
Further to our earlier Notice to Members ALC-21-52 regarding the NZPFU 2022 Diary, we have received advice from a number of our members requesting a copy of the diary.
Members have reported a survey circulating by a Massey University student seeking firefighters to participate. The survey and research is about the cumulative trauma and self-regulation of PTSI symptoms, depression and suicide by NZ firefighters.
The Taupo Local advise members their AGM will be held on station at 5pm on the 23rd of August.
FENZ intends to flick the switch on 27 September 2021 standing up the new Tranche 2 and 2B structure. But FENZ is yet to engage with the NZPFU on the practical implications of the changes.
Just as another wintry blast hits the country the NZPFU hoodies have arrived and are available to buy!
Congratulations to the NZPFU members who have been appointed to Group Manager positions! A list was released by the National Commander today.
The Union finds it incredibly frustrating that Fire and Emergency throws money at bucket hats, baseball caps and soft shell jackets whilst New Zealand’s largest most populous city faces a crisis with its heavy aerial fleet.
Members will be aware of the latest update from Fire and Emergency Management about the state of the aerial fleet in Auckland.
The ballot for the positions of National President and National Vice President closed at 1700 hours today. In the presence of the Northern Branch Returning Officer and Central Branch Returning Officer as requested scrutineers I received the results from the electronic voting system.
Every year Central Branch Secretary Rob Hutchison organises the printing and distribution of the NZPFU pocket diary. We are in the process of organising the 2022 diary.
The NZPFU National President and National Vice President elections close at 1700 this Thursday 29 July 2021.
The Holidays (Increasing Sick Leave) Amendment Act 2021 comes into effect tomorrow (24 July 2021) increasing the statutory minimum of 5 day’s sick leave to 10 days per year. Affected employees will get the additional 5 days when they reach their next leave entitlement date. Employees who already get 10 days or more sick leave are not affected by this legislative change.
This week, Auckland City 206 was removed from service due to a driveshaft issue. Parnell 255 has been away for repair for an extended period. This leaves Auckland with only one 24-year-old “heavy” aerial appliance.
FENZ has advertised Group Manager positions in Hawkes Bay and Taranaki claiming anyone who has previously applied “for a Group Manager position in any region” is ineligible to apply for these positions.
We have not just one – but two designs!
NZPFU Christchurch Local in conjunction with Christchurch Firefighters Social Club invite NZPFU members to be presented with a 10 year Christchurch earthquake anniversary coin. Social Club Members warmly welcomed to this event.
Members are reminded that the election for the positions of Union President and Union Vice President are currently underway and are being conducted electronically.
The NZPFU is deeply concerned that FENZ has appointed candidates to the Group Manager position that are not the best-suited applicant.
The NZPFU is encouraging members to come forward with suggestions of appropriate Board nominees of Directors for the NZ Firefighters’ Credit Union Board.
The failure of Tauranga 712’s engine on Tuesday has, once again, highlighted the mismanagement of our local FENZ operational fleet. This is to the detriment to the safety of both the Tauranga FENZ Career Professional, Volunteer staff and the public and industry to which we are tasked with protecting.