WORK AT FIRE STATIONS
Routine Maintenance Restricted
DECISION BY UNION The Christchurch Fire Brigade Union, with one dissenting vote, has decided that members will do no routine work in or around station premises from 7 a.m. today. This means that firemen will man the watch rooms and take fire calls, man fire engines and keep them in running order, ensure that they are equipped with hose, and they will answer all fire calls; but no other maintenance work will be undertaken. “The reasons for this resolution are that the firemen are dissatisfied with the attitude of the board in its failure to reply to representations made by the union over a very long period,” said the secretary of the union (Mr A. B. Grant). “The union wrote to the board on October 25 asking for an immediate meeting to discuss, among other things, the long-continued shortage of staff resulting in additional work for existing staff and the lack of effective instruction and training. “The union also wanted to discuss a reduction in the hours of work, effective rates qf pay, mess room and watch room duties and overtime, and the reintroduction of the squad system,” Mr Grant said. “The board could not meet the union and a meeting with the board did not take place until December 13. These matters and others were discussed. But until today, a month later, no reply has been received to the representations. “After the particularly busy period of the last few weeks, the president (Mr R. G. Stevenson) and myself met the chairman of the board (Mr N. R. Forbes) and pointed out that machines had been answering fire calls captained by an officer of the brigade, an experienced driver, and perhaps one experienced fireman, but manned in the main by comparatively inexeperienced men, thus throwing a big responsibility on the experienced men. During that period one suburban station crew had been out on fire duty for at least seven hours on Sunday and all the men had to eat was a meagre supply of bread, butter, and cheese and a drink of cordial,” Mr Grant said. “That crew had Sunday breakfast at 9 p.m. Some men had pyjamas under uniforms without opportunity to change for almost three complete days. One officer had been called at 4 a.m. and had his breakfast at 5 a.m. next day. Compensation Sought “Mr Forbes was asked to compensate the men for the work or at least to make a consistent drive for more staff and ensure that men working such long hours would be looked after effectively, particularly in supplying food,” Mr Grant continued. ‘‘lt appears from information received from the secretary of the board (Mr S. F. Marshall) that a meeting of the board could not be called before next Tuesday. “The full complement of staff authorised by the board in 1947 was 60. increasing in 1948 to 69, and in 1950 to 70,” said Mr Grant. “From 1950 until now the strength (excluding the New Brighton and Sumner volunteer brigades) has remained at 70. This includes the chief fire officer and his deputy, 15 officers and 43 men. With men on day leave and extended leave there is on duty at the central station a fire-fighting strength of 14 men, including drivers. Excluding the officers at central but including officers at suburban stations, the maximum fighting strength at any time is 23 men. These 23 have now to cover a vastly increased area of protection. In 1949 the area covered by the brigade was about the same as the city boundaries. It has now been extended to include Hornby, Islington, Sockburn. Halswell, the Summit road, through Heathcote, Wainoni, Bexley, Styx, Chaneys, Belfast and across to Harewood road and the airport. Machines have also turned out to Templeton, Papanui, Tai Tapu, and Prebbleton and as far as Balmoral recently. “When men do routine work after 2.15 p.m. daily—and routine work includes washing, drying, and testing hose —they receive overtime at 7d an hour. In talks with Mr Forbes we tried to obtain the use of council employees to gather and clean the hose, all of which (including reserves) was scattered all around the Christchurch area. We were unable to get this help.
“The union has decided to reconsider its attitude when and if a satisfactory meeting and reply are offered by the Fire Board,” said Mr Grant.
BOARD CHAIRMAN’S COMMENT
Mr N. R. Forbes, chairman of the Christchurch Fire Board, said that the present attitude of the Fire Brigade Union “almost constitutes a strike.” “Every board member is doing his best not only for the men, but for the public,” he said. “As far as the award and rates of pay are concerned, the board has no say. The national union is in negotiation with employers to get a new award, therefore the local board cannot interfere."
Mr Forbes said he realised the strenuous time the men had had recently, and he had made an offer to Mr Grant and Mr Stevenson which he intended placing before the board. The board had always met the union, and in the two years he had been chairman nearly every request within the board’s powers had been acceded to, said Mr Forbes. The executive of the board will meet next Tuesday.
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Bibliographic details
Press, Volume XCIII, Issue 27877, 27 January 1956, Page 10
Word Count
882WORK AT FIRE STATIONS Press, Volume XCIII, Issue 27877, 27 January 1956, Page 10
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