NZPFU members walk off the job for one hour from 12 noon today with no bargaining in sight.

In February, the NZPFU wrote to FENZ with the outcome of strike ballots taken during the national round of membership meetings in February. We were asking for bargaining to recommence and proposed a process for tackling the big issues in particular.

On 5 March, Kerry Gregory responded, refusing the NZPFU’s proposed process and stating that FENZ was working on a new offer but that it would only present that offer at facilitation and on the condition that the NZPFU withdraws all industrial action and commits to pausing future action as a sign of good faith.

So where is the good faith from FENZ?

FENZ’s actions speak louder than its propaganda.

FENZ has determined it would deduct wages to try and economically coerce workers out of strike action, has continued to spend up to $100,000 a week on advertising regarding the strikes, and repeatedly provided wrong information to the Parliamentary Governance and Administration Committee trying to avoid any accountability on serious issues such as the failing fleet. When FENZ was cornered and had to face that Committee to answer to having repeatedly provided incorrect information CE Kerry Gregory and Deputy National Commander Megan Stiffler had previously provided in person, they disrespected the parliamentary process by failing to turn up. Two others were sent in their place with new answers on the fleet that contradicted all previous answers, and no answers on a range of other issues.

Ms Stiffler, who was not even in bargaining and has misled the Parliamentary Committee by stating firefighters earn double time on overtime, continues to try and bait the union. FENZ is hopeful a response will enable them to orchestrate an argument to seek wage fixing. Our members are well aware of those tactics.

The NZPFU is focused on achieving a fair and reasonable collective agreement. We can’t do that when FENZ is refusing to come back to the table or provide the new offer it says was being worked up weeks ago.

Come on FENZ! Spend your energy and resources on getting back to the table with a revised offer that provides the necessary protections for safe systems of work, properly recognises occupational cancer and the right mechanism for access to mental health care, as well as fair and reasonable wages that recognise our members have not had a pay increase since July 2023.

Let’s get back to the table – nothing will be achieved until we are in the room negotiating.

In unity,
Wattie Watson
National Secretary