Northland’s paid firefighters based in Whangārei walked off the job again today in their fight for better pay and work conditions.
Northland’s paid firefighters based in Whangārei walked off the job again today in their fight for better pay and work conditions.
Northland’s paid firefighters based in Whangārei have walked off the job again today to protest a poor pay offer, high workloads and a need for better equipment.
New Zealand Professional Firefighters Union (NZPFU) members – including eight of the 41 career firefighters in Whangārei - were to undertake theone-hour strike between midday and 1pm.
The strike is just one in a long-running standoff between Fire and Emergency New Zealand and the NZPFU, who have been in bargaining talks for a collective employment agreement for paid firefighters since July 2024.
Whangārei senior station officer Paul Ballantine, the Whangārei president of NZPFU, said the firefighters would be striking as they have every Friday for the last five or six weeks.
“We’re very reluctant to strike but we’re forced into this position by Fenz [Fire and Emergency].
“We’re very committed to our communities and it’s the last thing we want to do.”
Ballantine said the firefighters were “trying to get Fenz around the table to make a reasonable offer”.
They were also asking for better work conditions, improved equipment, better access to mental health programmes and efficient occupational cancer and illness processes, he said.
Fire and Emergency offered a 5.1% pay increase over the next three years.
Northland's paid firefighters also took strike action in October as negotiations with Fire and Emergency stalled. Photo / Brodie Stone
Fire and Emergency urged people and businesses in cities and towns to remain extra careful today.
Deputy National Commander Megan Stiffler had advised residents to be extra careful with fire safety during the strike.
“We will continue to answer 111 calls during the one-hour strike and respond to fires in affected areas, but our responses will be delayed.
“Our dispatch system will direct volunteers from their own stations to help as they regularly do when there are multiple emergencies at one time, but it will take them longer.
“We are advising everyone that, should there be a fire, they should evacuate early and, once out, stay out, and call 111.
“People should also check their smoke alarms and their escape plans.”
Stiffler said as with previous one-hour strikes, Fire and Emergency would prioritise emergencies.
As a result, they may not respond to less serious incidents in cities and towns during this time, she said.
“For example, private fire alarms where there is no evidence of fire, small rubbish fires, assisting traffic management, and animal rescues.
“This will ensure our resources are focused where they are needed most.”
Stiffler reassured people that this strike action will not affect most of the country.
“The vast majority of communities are served by our more than 11,800 volunteers in nearly 600 stations across New Zealand, who will respond as usual.”
Jenny Ling is a senior journalist at the Northern Advocate. She has a special interest in covering human interest stories, along with finance, roading, and social issues.
