With New Zealand firefighters campaigning hard for a decent new collective agreement, one of the consequences of their strike action was not to do training usually provided by Members for people going to Antarctica for the summer. This generally takes the form of a week's fire prevention and firefighting instruction for N.Z. Antarctic Team members. 

OS alert
The Union then found out that NZ Fire Service management was making strenuous efforts to find an alternative sources of trainers, including Australia. As a consequence, the NZPFU contacted UFUA National Secretary Peter Marshall who immediately advised all UFU Branches of the NZ Fire Service’s attempts to engage scab labour.

The Fire Service had contacted the Tasmanian Fire Service with an urgent request for trainers from that state to go to Christchurch. (The Tasmanian Fire Service provides the training for the Australian Antarctic Team). However, quick action by the UFU Tasmanian Branch put a stop to any Tasmanian Members making the journey across the Tasman.

A win for cooperation
The NZPFU sees this as a great example of Trans-Tasman cooperation between the respective Firefighter Unions and demonstrates the value of close Trans-Tasman contact and  cooperation. The Union thanks both Peter Marshall and Tasmanian Branch Secretary Richard Warwick for their immediate and strong action in support of the NZ firefighters' cause.

More information:
Find out the latest on the New Zealand firefighters' industrial campaign.

Check out pics from the NZ firefighters industrial campaign.