FENZ management have exposed their true colours in their latest salvo against striking NZPFU members, including striking firefighters and 111 emergency call centre dispatchers.

FENZ has been publicly calling on the union to withdraw the one-hour stoppages, claiming concerns for public safety.

Last week the NZPFU gave notice of new industrial action which are bans on primarily administrative tasks or behind the scenes work that does not impact on emergency response. That action was to commence on 23 March 2026.

In doing so FENZ has exposed its claim that it is concerned about public safety. If FENZ management were genuinely concerned about public safety they would not threaten to deduct 10% of wages from each NZPFU member undertaking the administrative industrial action which does not affect emergency response.

FENZ’s decision to deduct 10% for partial strikes has in effect meant our members cannot sustain industrial action that does not affect emergency response. 

Mr Gregory’s late afternoon communication of the 10% deduction has only served to galvanise our members. Union representatives have reported strong reactions from our members who are united in their fight for a fair collective agreement that provides for safe systems of work (including staffing and reliable appliances) as well as fair wages.

Due to the threat to deduct 10% of wages, which some of our members cannot sustain, the NZPFU will withdraw the strike notice (https://email.newsflash.nz/t/t-l-wjuklty-cykiuutdt-y/)of industrial action that was to commence on 23 March 2026 that did not affect emergency response.

The NZPFU membership now have no other option but to continue the one-hour full stoppages which affect emergency response.

The NZPFU will continue with the one-hour full stoppages/strikes two times a week.

The 10% reduction would be crippling for some of our members who work as much overtime as they can access just to keep food on the table and the rent paid.

• Base wages for trainee firefighters are $56,477 gross per annum.
• Having successfully completed the 13-week recruit course the Firefighters' base wages are $60,511 gross p.a. working 42 hours a week.
• The largest group of firefighters are Senior Firefighters (with qualifications and up to 9 years of experience) base wages are $80,682 gross p.a. working 42 hours a week.
• Base wages for Officers (who have the lives of their crews as well as the public in their hands) are $91,830 gross p.a. working 42 hours a week.
• Senior Station Officers (highly qualified with many years’ experience responsible for multiple crews at a range of types of emergency response including complex and large scale events) are appointed to a base salary of $106,995.72 gross p.a working 42 hours a week.

Firefighters and Officers are dedicated to protecting the community. Despite the low pay they put their quality and quantity of life on the line with a high risk and incidence of occupational cancer, physical injuries and mental health impacts.

• Compare those wages to other roles in FENZ like a project manager who is paid a starting rate of $136,000 on appointment, a safe desk job without any of the risks to life and limb.
• Compare that to Kerry Gregory and his senior leadership team, and some others at various levels of management, who enjoy salaries of at least $300,000 p.a. with the top being paid approximately $500,000 (guess who?).

Kerry Gregory has also stated he will deduct one hours’ wage for the hourly full stoppages. Prior to the NZPFU giving notice of the administrative bans, FENZ had not deducted wages for the one-hour strikes. The NZPFU will continue the one-hour full stoppages.

At the recent national round of membership meetings NZPFU members overwhelmingly voted for the continued one-hour stoppages. At those meetings we also discussed the partial deductions legislation and possible impacts on our members. Our decision to withdraw the administrative bans and continue with the one-hour strikes is consistent with those discussions. We will also be exploring all legal avenues available to the Union.

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