Collective Agreement
a) Wages:
The new Wage & Allowance rates will be paid on 26 September, as will the back pay – 4% from 1 January 2007 and the Officership Allowance from 1 July 2007.
b) Special Leave:
Members will be receiving in the next few days, advice of the Fire Service’s calculations on Special Leave entitlements. For most, the entitlement will be the full 12 days. Pro rata entitlements will be provided for those not employed for the full 3 years, or for those who have spent periods of more than 3 continuous months on Black or Yellow Watch. Those members must check the calculations carefully and if not happy, seek Union advice.
The taking of these Special Leave days requires consultation with the C.F.O. as does the taking of Alternative Holidays earned from 1 April 2007.
The Holidays Act requires a minimum of 14 days notice of taking Alternative Holidays to allow this consultation. A similar period of notice for the taking of Special Leave days is also appropriate.
c) Mileage Reimbursement:
The new reimbursement rates will take effect from 15 August 2007 – the pay day immediately following ratification.
Holidays While On Parental Leave
As a result of a successful dispute arising from the Auckland Communications Centre, the Fire Service has accepted they have not been complying with the requirements of Section 16 of the Holidays Act - inter alia:
“Continuous service includes a period when an employee was on Parental Leave”.
Consequently, the member giving rise to the dispute received four sets of shifts as leave for the period while on Parental Leave.
It may well be that present or past members are entitled to the benefit of this provision, and if so, contact the Union.
