Gisborne firefighters join strike action as negotiations ongoing

Gisborne professional firefighters protest at the corner of Reads Quay and Gladstone Rd on Friday for one hour as part of nationwide strike action over working conditions and pay claims. Photo / Murray Robertson

Professional firefighters in Gisborne spent part of Friday on strike in Gladstone Rd, opposite Heipipi Park, joining action by colleagues elsewhere across the country.

They were protesting the time it was taking to settle negotiations with Fire and Emergency New Zealand on a new collective agreement.

Fire and Emergency has offered a 5.1% pay increase over three years.

Gisborne union representative Carl Shaw described the time it was taking to settle claims with Fire and Emergency NZ as "frustrating". Photo / Murray Robertson

The NZ Professional Firefighters Union (NZPF) and Fire and Emergency were back at the bargaining table this week in a process that began more than a year ago.

“Fire and Emergency NZ have refused to move at all from their position, claiming we were still too far apart,” NZPF said.

“The union is intent on wanting to negotiate a fair and reasonable outcome.”

Gisborne union representative Carl Shaw said the professional firefighters in Gisborne felt there needs to be a change in the working conditions.

“The time it’s taking is frustrating,” Shaw said.

“We don’t want to be doing this, to be on strike, and to leave our community vulnerable.

“But we need to effect change, especially with things like occupational cancers and increased staffing ratios nationally.”

There was plenty of public support for the firefighters' cause, with a constant cacophony of toots from passing cars and trucks. Photo / Murray Robertson

Fire and Emergency urged firefighters to call off the strike action on Thursday.

Deputy national commander Megan Stiffler said a full strike would “impact public safety”.

“Striking is unwarranted given we have our next meeting to discuss our application for facilitation with the Employment Relations Authority on November 25, and we continue to engage with the NZPFU in good faith,” she said.

Gisborne was covered by volunteer firefighters during Friday’s one-hour strike action from noon.

The case between Fire and Emergency and NZPF will be before the Employment Relations Authority for an urgent facilitation meeting on Tuesday.