From:
Secretary <[email address]>
Sent:
Monday, 19 August 2019 8:36 AM
To:
Jones, Rhys; Gregory, Kerry
Cc:
Ian Wright; Joseph Stanley
Subject:
NOTIFICATION OF DISPUTE
Attachments:
RANK ROLE AND COMMAND ; Automatic reply: TERRORIST/LIVE SHOOTER INCIDENT RESPONSE ;
RE: Apologies for not attending today; CANCELLATION OF TOMORROW'S MEETING AND
MONDAY'S USD MEETING DUE TO DISCUSSIONS ON TUESDAY
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Importance:
High
Dear Rhys,
NOTIFICATION OF A DISPUTE
This is formal notification of a dispute in accordance with Part 1 Clause 9 of the FENZ and NZPFU Collective
Agreement for Uniformed and Communications Centre Employees 1 July 2018-30 June 2021 (the CEA). In
notifying of a dispute the status quo as provided for in clause 1.9(i) Peace Obligation applies.
Information
Please find attached the relevant correspondence on these matters.
Basis of the dispute
1. On 29 July 2019 CEO Rhys Jones provided in confidence to the NZPFU a draft “Building Fire and
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Emergency New Zealand – proposals for our organisational structure and approach to rank - proposals
for consultation”. In the accompanying email Mr Jones noted “that the section of the document
detailing our proposed approach to rank is yet to be updated to reflect the feedback received from
the
members of the USD Working Group over the last week”. We have yet to receive any updated
document. This timetable included in this proposal demonstrates FENZ’ intention to distribute the
document “for consultation” widely through its “consider this” electronic tool on 3 September2019.
2. In a letter dated 6 August 2019 the NZPFU set out its primary concerns regarding the absence of the
protection of the necessary rank, role and command structure that underpins current safe systems of
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work. At a meetingwith national Commander Kerry Gregory and Deputy Chief Executive People
Brendan Nally we discussed these matters and Mr Gregory undertook to provide a written response
detailing FENZ’s intentions regarding rank, role and command. Our letter also detailed FENZ’s
obligations to consult with the NZPFU and put FENZ on notice that its intentions to distribute the
proposal and consult widely with all FENZ employees. Contractors, consultants and others would be in
breach of our members’ rights under the CEA.
3. In a letter dated 7 August 2019 Kerry Gregory responded in part to our letter of 6 August. This letter
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did not alleviate our concerns, and for the first time indicated that there was an intention to change
rank for Senior Station Officer down albeit not in the current proposal. Mr Gregory did not respond to
the issue of consultation.
4. In an email dated 8 August 2019 the NZPFU detailed our concerns and the issues yet to be resolved on
the critical issue of rank, role and command.
5. We have not received a response to that email or those matters.
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6. The “Building Fire and Emergency New Zealand – proposals for our organisational structure and
approach to rank - proposals for consultation” included a consultation period of 3-30 September 2019
and that all information regarding the proposal and consultation would be published on the “consider
this” online system. The intention is to send an email to each and every FENZ email address with
access to the proposal and consultation through the online system. This will be simultaneously
provided to NZPFU members, all employees, contractors, volunteers (urban and rural) and in doing so
will be simultaneously consulted. This would be in breach of the consultation clause in the CEA.
Solution sought
i.
FENZ met with the NZPFU for the purposes of discussing and resolving the critical rank, role and
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command.
ii.
That the resolved rank, role and command issues be incorporated into the draft organisational
proposal with any necessary amendments to the proposal.
iii.
That it is only then that consultation can be undertaken, and must be undertaken in accordance with
the CEA.
Yours sincerely,
Wattie Watson
Information
_______________________________
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Ms Wattie Watson
National Secretary
New Zealand Professional Firefighters Union
Email: [email address]
Mobile: +64 21 928 819
Office: [email address]
Web: http://www.nzpfu.org.nz/
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received it in error:
1. Please let us know immediately by return email and then delete the email and your reply.
2. You must not use, copy or disclose any of the information contained in this email.
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