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by New Zealand Broadcasting School students

by New Zealand Broadcasting School students

140 firefighting jobs on the chopping block

Business

Aleksandra Bogdanova
Imogen Brophy

The Public Service Association (PSA) is urging the government to intervene in Fire and Emergency New Zealand's (FENZ) proposed restructure.

Sumner firefighter in a firetruck
Sumner firefighter in a firetruck Imogen Brophy / NZBS

FENZ have proposed a restructure, which will review around 700 roles. Currently it employs 14,900 personnel.

FENZ Chief Executive Kerry Gregory says the proposal is a way to ensure the organisation can sustainably, effectively and efficiently meet New Zealanders’ needs. 

"I acknowledge this is difficult for the teams and individuals impacted.

"We are committed to constructively working through their feedback to ensure we get the best outcome.” 

Proposed changes include role clarification, enhancing decision-making, and quality of information. 

PSA National Secretary Fleur Fitzsimons responded with fire, expressing worry over the wellbeing of those involved.

"We're very concerned about these job losses at FENZ.

"They will have tragic consequences and the government should stand in to stop them.

The Professional Firefighters Union and FENZ have been in a stalemate over payment negotiations, which Fitzsimons says the PSA have expressed strong support for. 

Despite lengthy calls for a union strike on Friday the 14th of November, they have been called back into bargaining over next Monday and Tuesday.

They say more information will be available after their annual conference, being held in Whanganui.