Media Statement
2 July 2009


Safety Not Affected by Union Action Says Fire Service

New Zealanders’ safety would not be compromised by planned industrial action announced yesterday by the New Zealand Professional Firefighters Union, said New Zealand Fire Service Chief Executive Mike Hall. Action would be low level, related to administrative tasks and would not affect the service’s ability to respond to both emergency and non-emergency calls.
The Fire Service was disappointed at the union’s decision, he said. After more than six months of collective employment negotiations, it had not been possible to reach a settlement with the NZPFU.

This was especially frustrating as firefighters were well remunerated and enjoyed extremely generous terms and conditions. Firefighter pay rates, depending on experience, qualifications and role, are between $41,000 and $70,000 in base remuneration, and firefighters earned between $43,000and $125,000 last year when overtime and other allowances are taken into account. They receive the equivalent of 5.2 weeks of annual leave a year, which increases to 6 weeks (including service leave) after 7 years service. In addition they are entitled to 28 days sick leave a year.

“We have put forward a number of options for settlement, which are very realistic given the current economic climate, rising unemployment and government expectations of restraint,” Mike Hall said. “All options included a wage increase in return for some changes to current terms and conditions of employment that will bring them closer to what is normal for most other New Zealanders.”

The Fire Service was committed to finding an appropriate solution, he said.

“We are committed to continuing discussions with the NZPFU and settling these negotiations in a manner which is appropriate for the current economic climate, other wage settlement trends, and the value of the generous terms and conditions that firefighters enjoy.”