Industrial Action

The action to be taken for the most part is intended to effectively be a repeat of the action that was being taken when the previous action finished.

The Union’s lawyers are considering the draft Notice at present. As has occurred previously, the Fire Service can seek an Interim Injunction if the Notice is unclear.

Interim Injunctions are not difficult to get. All that is needed is to establish that:

- an arguable case exists and
- the balance of convenience.

The Union has had reported to it the rumour (apparently being spread by management) that Christchurch may be exempt from any action. This rumour has no substance.

Decontamination Corridors

Further to the Notice yesterday (NTM 21 – 14 June 2011) the Union sees that training on the Corridors can continue. Training does not involve any potentially dangerous contaminants and therefore does not involve the possible risks of the use in an operational situation.

The Union is in dialogue with the Fire Service over the Operational Instructions and it is hoped they will be available shortly (maybe next week).

U.S.A.R.

The Union has had a number of communications with the Fire Service on USAR members’ entitlements following the last response to Christchurch and Japan.

The Fire Service has agreed that time off must be provided on a Day for Day basis.

However, unlike previous deployments, the Fire Service wants to use a calculation basis of Consecutive Days - rather than Working Days, which has been the norm. The Consecutive Days basis of calculation does mean that all days of a deployment must be included.

Re-Crediting Of Days Used To Take Off Public Holidays

(Refer Notice to Members No. 4 – 7 February 2011)

The Union has asked on a number of occasions when this re-crediting will happen and has been assured that this is being worked on and will happen shortly. The Union will continue to pressure the Fire Service to ensure the re-crediting does happen shortly.