Members may have noticed that the Fire Service had programmed the SMS to pay only normal daily overtime rates for the two watches called back on overtime on 28 December and 4 January, they being Green and Red Watch respectively.

Due to the diligence of the Auckland Local Executive, this mistake was pointed out to Management and the error has been rectified, but only after some discussion and the initial refusal of Management to acknowledge their mistake.

Management had also decided, on the advice of their Human Resources Legal Advisor, Steven Fraser, that any watch called back on overtime on the recognised public holidays, 28 December and 4 January, would not be credited with an Alternate Holiday day.

The Auckland Local objected to this incorrect piece of advice and again, after much argument and referral to Section 45 (1) (b) of the Holidays Act 2003, the Fire Service was forced to acknowledge its error and staff called back on the dates above have been credited with an Alternate Holiday day, unless they had already accrued 4 days, which is the maximum the law allows.

Members are advised to take great care when they are due any allowance, and advise the Auckland Local if they think they have not been credited with an allowance which is theirs by right.