Lindsay Tisch National Fire Service Spokesperson
12 July 2002
Strong-arm union tactics deny firefighters their rights
National is appalled that strong-arm union tactics have been used to move several fire fighters out of their jobs at an
Auckland Fire Station, National Fire Services Spokesperson Lindsay Tisch said today.
"Four non-union fire-fighters based at Silverdale have been evicted from their station while they were away on training
courses. Another non-union member firefighter was prevented from returning to work at Silverdale when he returned to
work from leave on Monday.
"I am told that no consultation took place and Silverdale is now manned by unionised D1 Fire fighters, while those
evicted have been sent to Manly and Waitemata.
"The NZPFU has walked all over management. It has moved non-unionised firefighters out of their jobs, moving union
members into Silverdale and it has been able to do this because union members won't work with firefighters who are not
union members.
"This is blatant breach of freedom of association under the Bill of Rights and makes a farce of the Government's
Employment Relations Act. Where is the good faith bargaining when employees are dictated to without consulation.
"The union is blackmailing management and the Fire Service has a responsibility to its employees, whom it is failing to
protect.
"Community safety is being jeopardised by these strong-arm union tactics which this Government is condoning," Mr Tisch
said.
Ends