Morale is low in Masterton Fire Brigade, with the station’s career firefighters working excessively long hours and further strike action on the horizon.
However, hope remains that recent recommendations for a collective agreement will signal a path forward after more than a year of negotiations between the New Zealand Fire Fighters Union [NZFPU] and Fire and Emergency New Zealand [Fenz].
The recent report by former Employment Court judge and independent mediator Graeme Colgan was made public last week.
The report covered recommendations for remuneration, staffing, health, safety and wellness, and was billed as the basis for bargaining when the union and Fenz next meet on Friday.
Senior firefighter Tony Gibbs said the Masterton crew had discussed the recommendations and were “reasonably okay” with them, but they would remain in limbo until after Friday’s meeting.
“As far as we are concerned we could talk about the areas that we both agree to now, but the fact is, the employer won’t meet with us until the 27th.”
He said scheduled strike
