Performance Information Centres - Competition Boards

The Union is advised that these Boards have once again appeared on some Stations. This matter was addressed between the Union and the Fire Service in 2009.

Repeated below is the relevant section from the Newsletter (No. 10 – 23 April 2009) that was put out about this at that time.

“These Centres, which are essentially a Board which charts Watch, Station and District achievements of Station Business Output targets, have been proposed to be trialed and introduced by the Fire Service. A trial was attempted last year in Eastern Regions.

It was obvious that this is nothing more than a tool to detail comparisons between Watches, Stations and Districts.

Fundamental under‐pinnings on the introduction of SMS included:

• SMS founded upon consultation, partnership and agreement between the Union and the Fire Service;
• Any monitoring should explicitly exclude making comparisons.
  

These proposed Performance Information Centres clearly are not in accordance with these principles. The Fire Service appears to have accepted this, to the extent that they do not intent to site any on Stations. They are to be located at Region and Area HQs.

Consequently, the Union’s strong recommendation is that members have no involvement in the updating of any information required for these Performance Information Centres."

The advice as in that Newsletter still stands and members are strongly advised to follow it. The Fire Service has been reminded of the position agreed at that time.

Mediation ‐ Collective Agreement

Subsequent to the filing of Notice of Industrial Action, the Union has been invited by the Chief Executive of the Dept of Labour (pursuant to the Employment Relations Act) to attend further mediation.

The Union indicated its agreement to this and further mediation will occur on Friday 29 July 2011.