Protesting firefighters target John Key

Prime Minister John Key addresses firefighters protesting against stalled pay negotiations at Mount Roskill Fire Station today. Photo / NZPA

Prime Minister John Key was met with a barrage of placards and signs from around 200 striking firefighters when he arrived to open the new $4.9 million Mt Roskill fire station in Auckland today.

The ceremony was drowned out with shouts of "One, Two, Three, A Wage Rise Mr Key", as firefighters thrust placards at the fire station door windows, which read "National Shafting Firefighters Again" and "Bring Back Helen".

But the speeches from Mr Key and others, including Auckland mayor John Banks, went ahead. Later the Mr Key addressed the firefighters outside with a megaphone.

"We have not been holding up the wage round. We haven't sat down with the Fire Service since May," Mr Key said.

Mr Key answered questions fired at him by the firefighters, saying he did not know why there had been a delay in talks with the Fire Service.

He said he understood that the gap between the two parties was narrowing.

"At the end of the day, there are a hell of a lot of people losing their jobs and aren't getting a wage. That doesn't mean firefighters should be getting zero. We'll work our way through it with you constructively.

"At this stage the Fire Service has not brought the Government an offer yet."

The firefighters were protesting their stalled contract negotiations.

Firefighter for 36 years, Ken Manderson, 61, married with eight children, said his basic hourly pay rate was under $17.

"We do a job that saves the community. We put our lives on the line and that should be recognised.

"The police are on about $60,000 to $70,000 on the same rank as I am, and I'm well below that on basic pay.

"We understand that the economic conditions of this time require restraint, but we're not asking for 15 or 20 per cent .

"All we ask for is that we get something reasonable in return," Mr Manderson said.

Firefighers also argue senior Fire Service management have made bad and extravagant decisions, including funding the new Mt Roskill station.

Senior managers had also "wasted" $500,000 on consultants advising on the refurbishment of the Central Auckland Fire Station, despite firefighters who worked there telling them repeatedly it was not necessary, Auckland Firefighters Union president Jeff McCulloch said.

"The list of extravagances and terrible decisions goes on and on, and the waste of public money continues with no-one being held accountable."

About 1600 firefighters nationwide have been involved in industrial action for the past two weeks, including limiting activities to emergency responses.

- NZPA