Fire and Emergency NZ threaten wage deductions for striking firefighters

Fire and Emergency NZ has threatened to deduct pay from firefighters participating in any further strikes.

New Zealand Professional Firefighters Union (NZPFU) members voted last month to undertake industrial action.

However, Fire and Emergency chief executive Kerry Gregory has decided to deduct pay from employees who are parties to the partial strike action.

“Given the escalation, it would be irresponsible for Fire and Emergency not to take steps to bring this ongoing industrial action to a head,” he said, in a statement.

“I believe that the public has suffered as a result of the strike action to date and will continue to suffer for as long as this goes on.

“I also intend to exercise our lawful right not to pay employees for any periods when they withhold their labour in full.

“I will be issuing a letter to all employees performing roles covered by the bargaining, explaining how and when the deductions will apply.”

Gregory said union members had until Thursday afternoon to confirm if they were participating in the industrial action.

Fire and Emergency chief executive Kerry Gregory. Photo / RNZ

“Deductions will not be made from non-participating employees.

“If you are not on shift for whatever reason (such as being on leave or are sick), you also need to let us know so we can ensure that partial pay deductions are not applied.”

The Herald has contacted the NZPFU for comment.

Firefighters carried out industrial action on four occasions last month and once this month.

Last month, a fire broke out at Northcote College on Auckland’s North Shore during a one-hour work stand down.

On January 9, an East Auckland family bakery caught fire just minutes into a strike. It took 30 minutes for the nearest volunteer crews to arrive at the scene, in which time flames had engulfed the building.

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