Firefighting Union frustrated after failed negotiations

Career firefighters from Silverdale took strike action in late November and early December as part of the Zealand Professional Firefighters Union (NZPFU) national dispute against Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ). The dispute over a collective pay agreement and inadequate resourcing has been ongoing for more than 530 days. The Hibiscus Coast remains the only community among the nation’s top 10 most populous areas not staffed by a 24/7 paid crew. 

More than 50 firefighters, supporters and their families gathered outside the Silverdale fire station joining coordinated protests held across 19 cities and towns. Union members say they will continue taking action until FENZ commits to meaningful improvements that ensure both firefighter safety and community protection.

Silverdale is among fire stations across the country reporting a growing list of concerns that they say place both firefighters and the public at risk. 

Martin Campbell, National Vice President of the NZPFU and Coast resident, has been vocal about the impact these issues have on community safety.

“We’re supporting some peoples’ worst days of their lives… Our equipment is failing, our staffing levels are unsafe, and the public deserves better,” he says. 

Campbell hopes the ongoing protests will spark a wider response from both the community and its political representatives. 

“We’re really hoping that any of the local ministers realise how much of an issue this is, and take these issues further up,” he says. 

Earlier this year, Campbell raised similar concerns about poor resourcing and dangerously low staffing levels following the major Milldale fire (Hibiscus Matters, February 21 and June 3). Despite repeated warnings, he says these issues remain unresolved. 

The union’s industrial action targets a broad range of longstanding concerns, including chronic understaffing, cancelled recruit courses, insufficient numbers of 111 emergency dispatchers, ageing and unreliable appliances and trucks, the lack of recognition of heightened cancer risks for firefighters, inadequate psychological wellbeing support, and the absence of any pay increase since 2023. 

Deputy National Commander Megan Stiffler says that negotiations between FENZ and NZPFU are ongoing, with their latest offer being 6.2 percent increase over three years.

“We hope the facilitation process introduces some realism into discussions,” Stiffler says.

Although meetings took place last between FENZ and NZPFU took place last week the issues remain unresolved, with the NZPFU issuing one hour strike notices for Friday December 19 and 26.