This presentation will cover the impact of changing relationships between representative bodies and fire service management on the culture of the organisation and improved outcomes for our people.

Background:

Particularly from the mid 1990s, the NZ Firefighters Union-NZ Fire Service relationship was characterised by suspicion, lack of respect and myopia, leading to frequent disputation and a failure to make positive progress, and to a culture of division between workers and management.

All of this has impacted negatively on the organisation and its people. As an example, the Pilling Report on the Christchurch earthquake noted that this divide was a negative contributor in dealing with the challenges faced in managing this tragedy.

In the past three years, fire service management and union officials appreciated the need to change the relationship to achieve better outcomes for our communities and fire service people.

This presentation will discuss:

Background and history

·          The issues and context

·          The factors that led to a breakdown in the relationship

The drivers for change

The actions undertaken including

·          Joint committees and senior working parties with a genuine commitment to find solutions

·          Working to understand and respect the different viewpoints and where we have issues in common

·          Jointly fronting the proposals for the last collective negotiations

·          Supporting a change in style between management and staff

The achievements so far

The challenges faced and how to overcome them.