Fire and Emergency NZ is an organisation meant to respond to emergencies, not create one. NZPFU members, made up of career firefighters, risk reduction officers, community readiness and recovery officers, volunteer support officers, trainers, 111 call takers and dispatchers have been without a contract since July 2024, an aging fleet with little to no strategic plan to replace fault riddled fire trucks, greater exposures to cancers and mental health issues through their routine work, unsafe levels of staffing (with recruit courses even being cancelled next year) amongst many other issues have all created a Dire Emergency!
Despite negotiating for over a year now, no progress has been made with FENZ walking away from the negotiating table. NZPFU staff have exhausted all options trying to get our employer to make a meaningful offer to address issues so staff are having to take the drastic action of walking off the job for one hour. Yes that's right, from 12pm until 1pm there will be NO firefighters providing responses to fires, crashes, medicals, weather events, specialist HAZMAT or lines rescues and the various other emergency responses we carry out 24/7 in and around our city. This is not a decision we make lightly. We do not want to do this but FENZ has forced us to take serious action in the hopes to make them take this seriously.
This strike action can be called off at the last minute if FENZ decides to return to the table and enter productive conversations. We hope they do.
If you wish to support your firefighters please assemble by the Skatepark on Cook St across the road from the Palmerston North Fire Station by 1155 to support them as they walk off the job at 12pm. We will be walking around The Square (full route TBC) returning to Station by 1pm so our crews can get back doing what they love, protecting our community.
To our members, kia kaha. We welcome all firefighters and support staff, career or volunteer, to walk with us. Please assemble in the rear yard off Church St by 1145. Whanaungatanga - We are better together
Also check out other Health & Wellness events in Palmerston North.
