Members will be aware of the Union’s current position on Silverdale.

After meeting with Fire Service Management on Monday and agreeing on an action plan, the Fire Service Management has now resorted to sleazy, underhand practices, designed to compromise Union members’ safety and that of the public’s, and to cause much upheaval to staff manning appliances.

In short, Takapuna gets sent to Silverdale, East Coast Bays goes to Takapuna and Devonport goes to East Coast Bays, or any other combination that the North Shore Fire Service Management can think up to disrupt our members.

North Shore Fire Service Management appears to have a total disregard for the public safety within their District that they are employed to ensure Fire Cover.

As a result of their despicable actions, lives and property are being put at risk, as was evident yesterday with the loss of a structure in Devonport.

It has also became apparent that the North Shore Management Team has no regard for our members’ Health and Safety, by deliberately ordering a reduction in the Minimum Safety Manning at 0800 hrs within the District.

The Union finds this practice totally unacceptable, and is in the process of having this rectified.

The result is that there is compromised cover on ‘The Shore’ for periods of time.

Had Fire Service Management stuck to the agreed position, which was reached on Monday, and not wanted to play games with members’ safety and public safety, the Union would have been in a better position to put into place an acceptable solution to the Silverdale issues.

As always, the Union is working to have the status quo returned.

Updates will be posted as the situation changes.

Next week a meeting will be held on the North Shore to update members. Details will be advised in a later NTM.