Firefighters to strike over pay talks

Firefighters will partially strike after contract negotiations with the Fire Service broke down. File photo / NZ Herald

Firefighters will partially strike following the breakdown of contract negotiations with the Fire Service.

In an urgent notice to members on the New Zealand Professional Firefighters Union (NZPFU) website, the union said negotiations at mediation concluded at midday today with no further movement by the employer.

Firefighters will still respond to fires and other emergencies, but will not carry out routine paperwork once they return to the station. The action will start from August 5.

Outgoing Fire Service Commission chairwoman Dame Margaret Bazley said in a statement she was disappointed firefighters had given notice of strike action which would ban a significant portion of their normal duties.

This followed an "unrealistic'' pay claim of 8.93 per cent over 18 months by the NZPFU, she said.

The 2.5 per cent pay offer made to the NZPFU was more than fair and appropriate in the current financial climate, Dame Margaret said.

The Fire Service is funded from the fire levy, which is public money, so the Fire Service had the same constraints as other public sector agencies on wage increases, she said.

- NZPA