Career and Volunteer Firefighter Dual Membership
The Local issued a Notice to Members ALC-20-41 on 11 November regarding applying for a dispensation to have dual Career and Volunteer Firefighter Membership of the Union.
The Local issued a Notice to Members ALC-20-41 on 11 November regarding applying for a dispensation to have dual Career and Volunteer Firefighter Membership of the Union.
The Auckland Local wishes all Members a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. A reminder that the Auckland Office will be closed from Wednesday 23 December until Tuesday 5 January 2021.
Firefighters in Auckland Areas 3, 4 and 5 have been asked to collect names and addresses of all present at every fire and to report the details back to FireCom to be forwarded to rural personnel.
Today the media have wrongfully claimed that Auckland firefighters were used as part of a police operation to apprehend an alleged offender on Sunday night.
This week FENZ has required black watch trainers to interrupt their duties to staff a truck and respond. There have also been recent instances where FENZ has cross-crewed professional career firefighters and volunteer firefighters on a tanker or volunteer appliance (where there has not been any prior arrangement or agreement to do so).
FENZ has notified the NZPFU that they will be uploading and testing the new pay rates from mid-January for the new pay rates to be paid on 10 February (backdated to 1 July 2020).
Members are advised that following a major fire last week at Ponsonby Intermediate School, the presence of asbestos has been confirmed.
Today the NZPFU legal team is filing the application in the Court of Appeal for leave to appeal the Employment Court judgement.
This week the NZPFU National, Branch and Local representatives gathered in Wellington for the annual national conference. Over the past few conferences the NZPFU has invited observers from other sectors of our membership as this is the opportunity to listen and learn from each other. This year we were joined by members from the three communications centre, training (regional and NTC) and Black watch/FRMOs and all groups had an opportunity to report on key issues affecting their sector.
The Local notes, with sadness, the devastating fire that has occurred in one of Auckland’s historic buildings, the St Stephens Church located in Central Ponsonby.
No doubt it has been challenging times of late and I will admit to struggling to find something positive to share, hence the lengthy delay since my last blog. There are many challenges ahead of us and making our voice heard and influencing in this environment is daunting, but I have been encouraged by the quality and quantity of members who are continually stepping up across the organisation to ensure that the views of career fire fighters are not lost.
The NZPFU appliance representatives and subject matter experts met recently to workshop the NZPFU policy and submission in response to the FENZ aerial appliance strategy.
Due to the recent resignation of the Tauranga Local Vice President, nominations are hereby called for this position in accordance with the Rules of the New Zealand Professional Firefighters Union.
In accordance with Rule B 11.7, of the Rules of the New Zealand Professional Fire Fighters Union INC, I am declaring the results for the position of Palmerston North Local President as listed below.
The NZPFU and FENZ have agreed to the following pay increases as a result of the 2020 Remuneration Review.
FENZ Deputy CE Organisational Strategy & Capability Development Russell Wood has provided an update on the repair of the MAN Type 3 trucks waiting repairs for the cracks issues but was unable to provide any timeline or clear solution.
One of the ideas that came up during the Auckland Working Group was to change the shift start/finish times to 0700/1700 to reflect the actual times Auckland Firefighters’ work.
The NZPFU National Committee met by teleconference this afternoon to discuss the Employment Court decision which was issued last week. The NZPFU’s legal team had considered the decision and provided their opinion to the National Committee.
Membership survey reveals FRMOs feel highly undervalued and not supported and don't think the new structure will improve community safety.
The NZPFU Type 3 Project representatives have provided the following update.
Recently we asked members to pause any involvement in either of these trials until we were able to determine the safety of the proposed PPE and Uniform.
The attached Employment Court Decision rules against the NZPFU but this may not be the end of the matter.
There is an email out tonight from Kerry Gregory stating FENZ has won the Employment Court Case.
NZPFU subject matter experts are meeting today and tomorrow to develop the NZPFU’s response to FENZ’s aerial appliance strategy proposal and discussion document.
As members will know, First Union members of St Johns are scheduled to strike on Wednesday 25 November.
The NZPFU has notified FENZ that the South Island Spare Type 5 Aerial Appliance registration number FWM97 is unsafe and not fit for purpose.
In accordance with Rule B 11.9, of the Rules of the New Zealand Professional Fire Fighters Union INC, I am declaring the results for the position of Hawkes Bay Local President as listed below.
I hereby declare: Matthew Geoffrey Shearer, elected Nelson Local Secretary.
The Local recognises that there are situations where a Union member may decide to offer their time, experience, and qualifications to their local communities by joining a small urban or rural Volunteer Fire Brigade.
St John Ambulance FIRST union members have given notice of a 24 hour strike to be held on 25 November 2020. The notice of strike action comes after St John has continued to withhold their agreed shift pay, is proposing salary cuts to fully funded jobs, and wants to remove their rosters from the Collective Agreement.
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 2021 calendar.
In accordance with Rule B.10.5.1 of the “Rules of the New Zealand Professional Fire Fighters Union INC”, nominations are called for the position of Palmerston North Local President due to a vacancy arising from the resignation of Palmerston North Local President Tim Scott.
By the closing date for nominations for the position of Taupo Local Secretary, the following nomination has been received.
FENZ has recently released an aerial discussion document with a view to gathering feedback to help steer the FENZ aerial strategy for the future.
Following recent near miss events involving Type 3 appliances, all crews are reminded to thoroughly acceptance test all appliances when changing appliances at the service provider.
By closing date for nominations for the position of Hawkes Bay Local Branch President, the following nominations were received.
Due to the recent resignation of the Taupo Local Secretary, Sean McAvinue, nominations are hereby called for this position in accordance with the Rules of the New Zealand Professional Firefighters Union.
As discussed at the AGM, the Local is to trial making semi regular contact via e-mails to members highlighting items of current concern or attention as it pertains to the Tauranga Local and in particular its committee.
The NZPFU FENZ collective agreement provides for a annual review of remuneration levels with increases to take effect from 1 July 2020.
Members will, no doubt, be aware that the Independent Review of the NZ International Convention Centre Fire was released yesterday.
In accordance with Rule B.10.5.1 of the “Rules of the New Zealand Professional Fire Fighters Union INC”, nominations are called for the position of Hawkes Bay Local President due to a vacancy arising from the resignation of Hawkes Bay Local President Mike Manning.
In July the NZPFU pulled its support for the station “unified uniform” trial as firefighters had been told not to wear the station uniform at a live fire event.
The Council of Trade Unions has today released its official assessment and grading of the major political parties’ industrial relations policies, to assist working people in their voting choices.
A reminder to all members that (after numerous delays due to Covid-19), the Auckland Local Annual General Meeting will be held this Monday 28 September.
The following message is forwarded on behalf of Steve.
I hereby declare name above elected Invercargill Local Committee President unopposed.
FENZ still needs your help in contacting former employees to ensure they receive outstanding Holiday pay that is owed.
The NZPFU is embracing the nation’s recognition of te reo Māori starting with the translation of our name.
Members are advised that due to the latest COVID-19 announcement from the Government, the Auckland Local has postponed our Annual General Meeting until Monday 28 September.
Dear Levin Brigade volunteers
A former career Recruit has been quoted in the media stating he experienced there was a culture of bullying and sexual harassment at the National Training Centre. That Recruit suffered burns to his hands during live-fire training on the course and he has made a series of claims of ill-treatment by the Trainers.
The safety information provided last week for the new flash hoods has been updated. The only change is point 3 which now correctly requests the consideration of NOT rolling the hoods over the collar.
FENZ’s own report states its current ability to respond to emergencies in Levin is “critically limited” yet refuses to appropriately resource the Levin Brigade to protect the community in its response area.
The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment has this week released an issues paper on bullying and harassment (including sexual harassment) at work in New Zealand.