NZPFU secretaries Des Chan and Mike Swanson from Rotorua and Tauranga speak about today's firefighter strikes.
Striking career firefighters have taken to the streets in Tauranga and Rotorua today.
They are among about 2000 NZ Professional Firefighters Union members nationwide striking today for better pay, more staff, enhanced working conditions and resources, including new fire trucks.
Members walked off the job foran hour at noon.
Fire and Emergency NZ warned there may be delays in responding to emergency calls during the strike.
Career firefighters and other Professional Firefighters Union members on strike in Tauranga. Photo / Bijou Johnson
In Tauranga, about 70 union members poured out of the Tauranga Fire Station, accompanied by family members, and formed a loud picket at the intersection of Cameron Rd and Elizabeth St.
Waving placards, the striking group received toots of support from drivers of passing vehicles.
In Rotorua, 50 union members were set to march from the Rotorua Fire Station to the corner of Depot St and Old Taupo Rd.
Trainers and trainees based at the National Training Centre in Rotorua planned to congregate on State Highway 30 outside Wahanaga-A-Rangi Crescent, Ōwhata.
Nationwide strike action by members of the NZ Professional Firefighters Union (PFU) in Rotorua. Photo / Ben Fraser
On October 7, Fire and Emergency applied for a facilitation hearing in the Employment Relations Authority. Both parties have been directed to attend mediation before October 28.
Fire and Emergency deputy national commander Megan Stiffler said the employer had bargained in “good faith” and was doing everything it could to reach an agreement without disrupting services to the communities.
Union president Joanne Watson said the union opposed facilitation as Fire and Emergency had ample time to present a new offer, and refused to attend bargaining last week unless the strike notice was lifted.
The parties will mediate on the issue of Fire and Emergency’s application next week.
NZ Professional Firefighters Union members and their supporters at the Elizabeth St and Cameron Rd intersection. Photo / Bijou Johnson
If the application is not withdrawn, it will be heard in the ERA on November 14.
Yesterday, the union issued a further notice to strike for an hour from noon on October 31.
Sandra Conchie is a senior journalist at the Bay of Plenty Times and Rotorua Daily Post who has been a journalist for 25 years. She mainly covers police, court and other justice stories, as well as general news. She has been a Canon Media Awards regional/community reporter of the year.
