National Secretary Wattie Watson, National Vice President Joe Stanley and Northern Branch Vice President James Hall were privileged to be greeted by Australian Federal Greens MP Adam Bandt at Parliament House. Adam was a driving force behind achieving presumptive legislation for firefighters introducing the Federal Bill that was passed in 2011. A great friend of firefighters globally.
Members will no doubt be aware of the major 5th Alarm fire that broke out last night on the North Shore. This fire had widespread impacts to people across Tamaki Makaurau with several Emergency Alerts having to be made. Additionally, our thoughts go out the local community, including the owner, tenants, and staff of the businesses impacted.
Members will no doubt be aware of Wednesday's major fire in a scrapyard in Papakura. Whilst the cause of this fire is still under investigation what is known is that the impacts of it were widespread right across Auckland.
We have been told that staff wanting to do Return to Work Duties will have to do them at District HQ and they do not intend to reimburse your travel costs, “you are getting an enhanced pay and you can fund your own travel”. We have since got an agreement that the travel distance reimbursement will be paid for travel to District HQ.