The unions argued Fire and Emergency NZ breached its collective agreement by failing to consult staff before announcing the proposed job cuts. <\/p>\n
The joint application was filed with the ERA yesterday and seeks to stop the proposed restructure announced last week.<\/p>\n
PSA national secretary Fleur Fitzsimons said the cuts would pose a \u201cserious threat to public safety\u201d.<\/p>\n
She said at a time of escalating climate-driven emergencies, the cuts could impair Fire and Emergency NZ\u2019s ability to respond to emergencies. <\/p>\n
Members of the New Zealand Professional Firefighters Union (NZPFU) take part in strike action. Photo \/ Alyse Wright<\/p>\n
\u201cFENZ has clear obligations in the collective agreements to consult both the PSA and NZPFU about proposed changes that impact its members – not just their consequences.<\/p>\n
\u201cFENZ only provided an embargoed copy of its proposal to the PSA the day before announcing it to staff,\u201d Fitzsimons said. <\/p>\n
She said the PSA made several attempts between being advised about the restructure on October 29 and November 12 to be consulted. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s simply not good enough,\u201d she said. <\/p>\n
Fire and Emergency chief executive Kerry Gregory previously said the proposed changes would touch about 700 roles nationally, with a net loss of about 400 positions.<\/p>\n
Frontline firefighter positions were not impacted but \u201csome supporting functions may change\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe proposal is about ensuring we are best positioned to deliver a modern and responsive emergency service,\u201d Gregory said.<\/p>\n
Final decisions were set to be made before the end of the year, following consultation.<\/p>\n
NZPFU National Secretary Wattie Watson said the workers who face losing their jobs are critical to ensuring firefighters have access to the training and support they need to respond to emergencies properly. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe are deeply concerned about the impacts on our members that are evident in the proposal, but also the unseen implications which we believe may be an attack on the necessary increase in career firefighters and decimating training,\u201d Watson said.<\/p>\n
Members of the New Zealand Professional Firefighters Union (NZPFU) take part in strike action. Photo \/ Alyse Wright<\/p>\n
The PSA and NZPFU are asking the Employment Relations Authority to determine Fire and Emergency NZ has breached the collective agreement. <\/p>\n
Fitzsimons said Fire and Emergency NZ workers were given a 265-page consultation document and told to provide feedback within two weeks.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s not genuine consultation, it\u2019s a box-ticking exercise,\u201d she said, <\/p>\n
Fitzsimons said they are seeking an urgent hearing because Fire and Emergency NZ intended to confirm its decisions on December 17, just before Christmas.<\/p>\n
She said this will leave many workers and their families facing a bleak holiday period with their jobs on the line.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe recent Tongariro wildfire was a stark reminder of the need to have a well-resourced fire and emergency response. <\/p>\n
\u201cThe Government refused to increase insurance levies last year so the buck stops with them. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt must step in, stop the cuts and properly fund critical emergency services,\u201d Fitzsimons said. <\/p>\n
What roles could be impacted? <\/p>\n
The roles impacted by this restructuring would include wildfire specialists, desktop and network engineers, project managers, business analysts, learning operations co-ordinators and team leaders.<\/p>\n
It would also impact procurement\/sourcing specialists, risk reduction advisers, community readiness and recovery advisers and business service co-ordinators. <\/p>\n