Clause 2.7.1(c) of the current Collective Employment Agreement between the NZFS and the NZPFU describes how public holidays falling within periods of leave will be dealt with for rostered shift staff.

"If a public holiday falls or public holidays fall within the extended leave period (i.e. the 14 days) the leave will be extended by the number of public holidays in the same manner as applies to sickness, namely an additional leave day is added to the first duty day shift immediately following the extended leave period."

In most circumstances, the application of this clause is straightforward. However, where statutory holidays fall during and immediately following the end of a leave cycle, this clause must be read in conjunction with the Holidays Act, which is clear that leave cannot be taken on a statutory holiday. This is relevant to the upcoming Christmas and New Year period, for those employees in Leave Group 3.

Four statutory holidays fall during Green Watch Leave Group 3's period of leave, being 25 and 26 December and 1st and 2nd of January. Applying the Holidays Act and Clause 2.7.1 (c) of the Collective Employment Agreement they receive their additional days' leave on the 6th 7th 8th and 9th January, and therefore return to work on the day shift on 14th January.

Four statutory holidays fall during Red Watch Leave Group 3's period of leave, being 25 and 26 December and 1st and 2nd of January. Applying the Holidays Act and Clause 2.7.1 (c) of the Collective Employment Agreement, Red Watch Leave Group 3 would receive their additional leave days on their first day shift of 8th 9th 10th and 11th January, and return to work for their day shift on 16th January.

Four statutory holidays fall during Brown Watch Leave Group 3's period of leave, being 25 and 26 December and the 1st and 2nd of January. Applying the Holidays Act and Clause 2.7.1 (c) of the Collective Employment Agreement, Brown Watch Leave Group 3 would receive their additional leave days on the 10th 11th 12th and 13th January. And return to work for their day shift on the 18th January.

Three statutory holidays fall during Blue Watch Leave Group 3's period of leave, being 27th December and 1 and 2 January. Applying the Holidays Act and Clause 2.7.1 (c) of the Collective Employment Agreement, Blue Watch Leave Group 10 would receive four additional days leave on the 12th 13th 14th January. They therefore return to work for their night shift on the 15th of January.

Since most Coloured watches earn 4 additional leave days this Christmas period during the leave 3 slot , it has been decided in all fairness across the board to allow them to either take the days as they fall , or get them added to their accruals to allow for manning at the stations over the holidays.

Coloured Watch Leave Group 3 workers must notify the rosters office by Friday 16th December 2016 if they wish to pro-rata their additional annual leave days.

It would be appreciated if you could discuss with your AAMs as soon as possible and then notify rosters .

If you have moved your annual leave to start on any of these dates and have earnt PHR days then same rules apply.