With this Notice is a link to correspondence received by the Union from Janine Hearn, Director of Human Resources. Also a reply sent by Derek Best, Secretary of the Union.

This correspondence refers to the Fire Service’s stopping of light duties to injured employees from the start of the strike action.

Members will remember that the Union published the Human Resources Notice to Managers, as part of a Notice to Members No. 33 – 2 August 2011 (email Notice No. 42), at the start of the strike.
This Notice told managers that they should cease all light or alternate duties for injured and/or sick staff under their control.

Managers at the time were very prompt at complying with this instruction.

Since that time the Union has been trying to ascertain from ACC whether or not the Fire Service could do this. It was apparent to the Union that this action would prevent firefighters from achieving their return to work goals set in conjunction with the Injury Management Unit.

After some time, and with the specific help of the Invercargill Local of the Union, it would appear that the Fire Service have been contacted by ACC and this is why they are now writing to the Union to seek to change their stance.

It is amazing that they are now trying to shift the blame for their abhorrent treatment of their staff to the Union.

This is exactly the reason that there has been no resolution to the current industrial action and no settlement of the CEA.