Collective Agreement Negotiations

The parties met last week using the assistance of a Mediator from the Labour Department.

The Union was represented by Steve Warner, Denis Fitzmaurice and Derek Best, and the employer by Janine Hearn, Brett Warwick and Larry Cocker.

No new offer was presented by the employer. However, there was considerable discussion regarding Fire Service budgeting issues, including the High Court action the Fire Service is pursuing concerning Fire Service Levy Avoidance Schemes.

The Union notes the intention of Fisher & Paykel HealthCare workers to take industrial action. The employer’s offer (which has been rejected) is a 3% pay rise for 11 months and then a further 2% for 11 months.

Industrial Action

It is an inherent factor in the type of industrial action that Firefighters can take (given the classic option of “walking off the job” available to most other workers is not an obvious option for Firefighters) that it must take time to become effective and this must lead to frustration amongst members.

This is inevitable and members must be alert to the consequences of feelings of frustration at “things not happening fast enough”. Communication, it must be remembered, is a two‐way street between the Union membership and leadership. Therefore, if you have questions, concerns, suggestions etc., please communicate these to a Committee member.

Region Restructure

The Union repeats its request as in Newsletter No. 35 – 26 August that if you are making a submission on the Restructure, please forward a copy to the Union Office.

The Union has advised the Fire Service that issues relating to: 
- Job Description/Titles/Position/Job Losses and Pay Rates
must be negotiated with the Union and that the co‐called consultation proposed is quite inadequate.