New Type 3 Project Update
The NZPFU Type 3 Project representatives have provided the following update.
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.
The Tauranga Local is becoming increasingly concerned with the safety and functionality of Tauranga Fire Station and the inconsistency of information regarding its replacement.
In his August 2020 blog the National President Ian Wright called out FENZ’s leadership for failing to properly investigate allegations by women volunteer firefighters of sexual assault and intimidation by other volunteer firefighters including Chiefs. His blog was prompted by harrowing interviews with volunteer firefighters on Radio New Zealand.
Yesterday the NZPFU publicly called out FENZ CEO Rhys Jones, National Commander Kerry Gregory who had decided with the support of the Senior
Leadership group and the Board to disrespect the Employment Court by steaming ahead with appointment processes at the heart of the NZPFU
case.
FENZ CEO Rhys Jones and National Commander Kerry Gregory with the backing of the Senior Leadership team and the Board have decided to continue with its Tranche2 and 2B appointment processes.
FENZ has released its decisions from the re-consultation document. Basically, FENZ is steaming ahead with its proposals despite the feedback.
The NZPFU has been pushing for new protective flash hoods to be trialled as current hoods have not been reviewed for more than a decade.
Wellington and Hutt Valley firefighters turned out in force today to hear the legal arguments in the Employment Court.
Members are strongly encouraged to come to the public hearing of NZPFU case contesting FENZ’s appointment process for the positions established under Tranche 2 and 2B in the Employment Court this Wednesday.
There appear to be rogue variations of the FENZ protocols for Alert Levels 2 and 3 being circulated by some FENZ Managers.
In accordance with the Rules nominations were called for the position of Local Committee Member due to a casual vacancy arising on the Wellington Local.
Today FENZ National Commander Kerry Gregory released the attached Notice with links to the Protocols for Alert Level 3 (Auckland) and Protocols for Alert Level 2 (rest of NZ). The information on the FENZ portal is current and will be kept up to date.
As of midday (Wednesday 12 August) Auckland will be under Covid-19 National Level 3 restrictions with the rest of country under Covid-19 National Level 2 restrictions.
Please see the recent Facebook post from the Union about FENZ’s proposal to staff Levin with only 2 career staff.
FENZ is currently failing the Levin community. FENZ is not providing the emergency response that meets its own requirements or the community’s needs. FENZ recognises it needs to act to protect the community but its intention to supplement the volunteer brigade with a two-person career crew will still not meet the community’s needs and it will breach health and safety requirements.
I very rarely sleep well, in fact I can’t remember the last time I slept through a night. Last night was no exception as I struggled to process the Radio interview on Radio NZ and the harrowing recounting of sexual assaults suffered by 3 Volunteer Women Firefighters at the hands of male Volunteer Firefighters in separate incidents, and the clumsy reply by our CEO.
The NZPFU is proud to sponsor the Hawkes Bay Hundy relay run for mental health.
The NZPFU case contesting FENZ’s appointment process for the positions established under Tranche 2 and 2B will be heard in the Employment Court this month.
Please be advised that the following procedure has been agreed to in consultation with the Local and Area Management.
Our district hose layer based at Mount Maunganui Station is a valuable resource for the Bay of Plenty/Coast Fire District. It was secured through collaboration with like minded stakeholders and the determination of various Officers and Firefighters to provide an invaluable operational asset to our community.