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Firefighters will be on strike tomorrow – April 8, 7.30am – 8.30pm, Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ) warns.
“I want to reassure the public that all 111 calls will be received and responded to during the strike periods,” Megan Stiffler from FENZ says.
“However, our response times will be delayed in impacted areas as volunteer crews will be responding from the next closest location. So, we are asking the public to remain extra careful.”
Further strikes are scheduled for midday to 1pm this Friday, April 10, and 7.30 – 8.30am Monday, April 13.
Firefighters will continue to prioritise emergencies but may not attend less serious incidents during strikes, such as private fire alarms where there is no sign of fire, small rubbish fires, traffic-management assistance, and animal rescues.
FENZ has established a process with Hato Hone St John for responding to medical events in impacted areas.
The strikes are the latest action by the New Zealand Professional Firefighters Union (NZPFU) related to pay and working conditions.
“We remain focused on achieving a fair and sustainable settlement with the NZPFU so we can continue working to keep our communities safe,” Stiffler adds.
The NZPFU and FENZ have been in bargaining since August 2024.
“The NZPFU has put up a range of proposals and options to try and find a pathway to reaching agreement,” a statement from the union reads. “FENZ must produce an enhanced offer if we are to have any hope of a settlement.”
