After 18 months of negotiations and six months of strike action, Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ) and the New Zealand Professional Fire Fighters Union (NZPFU) have come to a $145 million agreement.
The draft agreement, which is yet to be agreed upon by union members, will see a number of benefits introduced, including cumulative wage increases of up to 24 percent, and backdating to 2021.
The draft collective agreement will be presented by the NZPFU to its members for ratification, with votes expected by the middle of this month.
Some of the highlights for NZPFU:
- Life-saving blood screening for the early detection of firefighters' occupational cancer and other illness
- Medical response recognition for firefighters and dispatchers
- Psychological support and supervision programme for firefighters and dispatchers
- Financial assistance for all members to access income protection and life insurance
- $1500 sign-on bonus to be paid Christmas week (if ratified)
- Recognition of the increased costs of living and working in Auckland with an additional one-off payment for Auckland members
- Ongoing annual Auckland shift worker allowance
- Long-notice retirement benefit
A spokesperson for the NZPFU said the draft agreement puts value back in what its members do.
"The offer goes some way to ensure NZPFU members are respected and valued and a pathway to begin repairing the relationship between management and staff and FENZ and the NZPFU."
FENZ chief executive Kerry Gregory said in a statement the draft agreement is "significant" and the outcome reflects the work both parties have been doing during the "lengthy" negotiations.
"Our offer in August was at the extent of what we could afford. We are pleased that, with Government support, we have been able to present a revised offer that recognises the critical role firefighters play while being sustainable for Fire and Emergency."
Gregory added work is "ongoing" to rebuilding trust and confidence and he looks forward to strengthening their relationship.
