Congratulations to the NZPFU members who have been appointed to Group Manager positions!  A list was released by the National Commander today. 

The NZPFU reminds our members appointed to Group Manager positions that they do not have to resign from the union.  We have initiated bargaining for the Group Manager positions and we are currently in collective agreement negotiations.  In the interim we are also assisting members appointed to Group Manager to negotiate their terms and conditions of employment. Any member wanting to discuss their offers of employment can contact the National Secretary directly via secretary@nzpfu.org.nz or 021 928 819.

We remind members that FENZ cannot lawfully restrict the applications for the outstanding positions as they have tried to do for Taranaki and Hawkes Bay Group Manager positions.  We have notified FENZ they are in breach of the collective agreement and FENZ Act.  We will be taking legal action if FENZ do not withdraw the unlawful claim that those that have applied for any Group Manager position previously is ineligible.

Section 27 the Act provides that a vacancy must be notified “in a manner sufficient to enable suitably qualified persons to apply for the position”.  The collective agreement requires a notice to be posted inviting applications from the workers and that such applications will receive full consideration, and that vacancies and positions should be advertised in a way that encourages people with the right skills, knowledge and attributes to apply.  Arbitrarily eliminating anyone who has previously applied for a Group Manager position does not comply with those requirements.  In addition, section 26 of the Act requires preference to the person most suited to the position, and the NZPFU collective agreement requires the appointment of the best-suited person to any vacancy.  That in itself requires the opportunity of the best-suited to apply for the position, regardless of whether they have applied previously.

We still have serious health and safety concerns with the appointment of non-career firefighters to some of the Group Manager positions.

We encourage our members who unsuccessfully applied for Group Manager positions to seek a review of the appointment if a non-career firefighter was appointed.  The process is explained in the notice posted on 7 July 2021.  Should you require any assistance please contact the National Secretary.

Members are reminded that these positions are not subjected to the restrictions we fought through the Employment Court case.  The notice explains the appointments that can be reviewed and that FENZ must appoint the most suited person for the position.

In unity,
Wattie Watson
National Secretary