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.
NZPFU National Vice president Joseph Stanley and National Secretary Wattie Watson were privileged to attend the launch of the Hiwa-i-te-Rangi Maori Outcomes Programme as part of Matariki celebrations this morning in Wellington.
Members may be aware that a live fire training facility is currently under construction at the Royal New Zealand Air Force Base Whenuapai. The facility is currently due for completion at the end of July.
Members are reminded that the NZPFU National Elections for President and Vice President will be held electronically with the ballot opening at 0900 on 1 July 2021 and will close at 1700 29 July 2021.
National Committee and FENZ meet for the first of many planned negotiation days.
We are still seeing occasions of pumps disengaging when the primer is operated. This is not acceptable.
The Covid-19 vaccination Hub system is failing firefighters as those that respond to MIQ facilities, airports and border facilities are not even being offered dates, let alone priority for Covid-19 vaccinations.
The NZPFU National Elections for President and Vice President will be held electronically with the ballot opening at 0900 on 1 July 2021 and will close at 1700 29 July 2021.
Today Jeffrey Shrimpton withdrew his nomination for the position of President.
NZPFU Honorary Life Member and former Kawerau Local Official John Sandison has been recognised for his services to the fire service and community in this year’s Queen’s Birthday Honours. John has been awarded the Queen’s Service Medal.
As you will have been told, our status as co-responders, categorises us as high risk medical workers who fall into the Category 2A. The Pfizer Covid-19 vaccination is available to you now.
Nominations for the NZPFU Union President and Union Vice President closed at 4pm today.
It has come to the Auckland Local’s attention that some Officers may not be transmitting K41 and K13 codes when it is appropriate and necessary to do so.
The NZPFU is still not satisfied that the offers of re-deployment of CRR Advisor and Senior Advisor Risk Reduction or Community Risk and Recovery Roles comply with the collective agreement, FENZ’s own policies or legislative requirements. We have notified of a dispute and reminded FENZ that we are now in bargaining and these matters are subject to bargaining.
Strength in unity and safety in numbers is not just a slogan – it is the reality. It is through the collective voice of unions that working conditions have evolved over generations, and national protections and standards (such as those in the Holidays Act, Health and Safety at Work Act, Employment Relations Act etc) enacted.
Friday afternoon FENZ sent out various offers of redeployment to FRMO and DPFRO members.
The NZPFU has been approached by some of our members who are also members of the New Zealand Firefighters Credit Union (FCU) who are concerned an amalgamation proposal with another credit union is being voted on without any information on other options.
The NZPFU has been getting complaints from members (trainees and trainers) that they are being required to travel to courses outside of their usual hours and are not being paid the correct rate for that travel time.
The NZPFU has given notice to initiate bargaining (attached).
FENZ has advertised firefighter positions in the Manawatu for candidates willing to work in any career position, watch or station.
FENZ has repeatedly claimed through the disestablishment of Area Managers and the establishment of District and Group Manager positions that only the suitably qualified and experienced will be appointed.
We're running a competition for all members to have a go at creating a design for new NZPFU winter sweatshirts.
Further to our National Notice to Members dated 22 February 2021 regarding the 10th Anniversary of the Christchurch Earthquake, we have now received the commemorative coins and are in the process of despatching them to all members.
Today, NZPFU’s lawyers filed an application challenging FENZ’s interpretation of “relevant daily pay” for the purposes of public holiday payments.
Our online merchandise store is full of new stock so you can now have a NZPFU beanie to keep you warm this winter!
The NZPFU strongly advises members that it is not in your interests to engage with FENZ’s Behaviour and Conduct Office (BCO) as key issues including procedural fairness and structure for receiving and handling complaints is yet to be determined, and practical and fair complaints processes are yet to be realised.
Today is International Workers' Memorial Day and in the words of Industrial Workers of the World co-founder Mother Jones (Mary Harris) we should “pray for the dead and fight like hell for the living”.
Today a Special Conference was held to consider Rule Changes to provide for union elections to be held by secure electronic means or by the traditional ballot box vote.
The offer of Southland DHB Covid-19 surplus vaccinations has been taken up by Invercargill professional career firefighters over the past two days.
The NZPFU National Secretary met with the National Commander today to discuss the 5 new VSO positions.
Today FENZ has announced 5 new Volunteer Support Officer positions will be advertised to be stood up as part of Tranche 2.
Members will be aware of the latest failure in Fire & Emergency fleet at a house fire in Grey Lynn.
The dire state of Fire & Emergency relief fleet was once again highlighted early yesterday morning at a house fire in Grey Lynn.
Members will remember that some time ago the Local raised several concerns with Fire & Emergency around the planning and staffing of the Prada and America’s Cup.
The NZPFU is expecting confirmation shortly that firefighters who respond to MIQs and undertake medical response will be included in the high-risk front line workers vaccination roll-out.
Candidates must be nominated and seconded by financial members of the union using the approved nomination form. Candidates may also submit a biography and photograph with their nomination which will be provided to members prior to any voting.
This newsletter serves to inform members of some of the work your Local officials have been involved with since our last newsletter in October 2020.
FENZ gas detectors are failing and FENZ is scrambling to distribute replacement detectors as an interim measure pending a process to agree to new personal gas detectors scheduled for later this year.
The NZPFU has withdrawn from the Technical Competency Framework (TCF) working group as FENZ has no intention to have tangible and transparent assessed pre-requisites and qualifications for the appointment to the ranks of Fire Commander and Assistant Fire Commander.
It is my view that a crisis of trust is upon us.
The NZPFU has sought expert advice from an engineering consultant on FENZ’s commissioned testing and analysis of the structural integrity of the Napier Fire Station and a geotechnical review of the land it sits on.
This morning the Court of Appeal handed down its decision on the NZPFU’s application for leave to appeal the Employment Court decision.
In response to Regional Manager Devlin’s latest Notice, the Auckland Local of the NZPFU wishes to provide the following statement to members.
The NZPFU has reached a new milestone with the employment of an Industrial Officer. We warmly welcome Jonathan Ring to the NZPFU team.
Today, International Women’s Day is an opportunity to pause to celebrate women’s achievements, raise awareness and reflect about gender equality.
The NZPFU maintains its advice and actions to reduce the unnecessary contact and large number of crews from the previous bubble arrangement of Albany/West Harbour and Takapuna/Silverdale stations.