Photo: RNZ / Nate McKinnon
Firefighters have issued further strike notices, just hours after calling off today's industrial action.
Earlier this morning, firefighters called off the first of four planned one-hour strikes as negotiations on a collective agreement continued.
Now New Zealand Professional Firefighters Union (NZPFU) said members will take further action with a strike planned for 21 November.
It said because there are strict regulations around strike notices, the union wanted to make sure industrial action was available in case talks failed.
The union said the move was not any indication of the progress of next week's discussions with Fire and Emergency.
Fire and Emergency (FENZ) chief executive Kerry Gregory said it was surprising, and he urged the union to show good faith during talks and withdraw all strike action.
A strike action was announced between 11am and midday on four days in November, starting today.
In a statement released earlier today the union said there had been movement over the previous 24 hours with the government putting up a proposal that would assist with settlement.
But it said Fire and Emergency (FENZ) still had to "front up and change its position" as the government proposal alone would not settle systemic issues including staffing, safe systems of work, health and wellness and low wages.
At that time, Gregory said he was pleased that discussions regarding a new offer for settlement of the collective agreement were continuing.
"This is a very positive development and we thank the NZPFU leadership for agreeing not to strike while we work through this together," he said in a statement this morning.
"Fire and Emergency remains committed to exploring all the options available to reach settlement and I am confident this latest development represents considerable progress to reach a resolution after a lengthy process."
Minister for Internal Affairs Jan Tinetti said she would not reveal the specifics of the additional support offered to firefighters so it does not compromise negotiations.
The government has been concerned about the safety of New Zealanders and offered additional financial support to Fire and Emergency to get the deal over the line, Tinetti told Midday Report.
The next strike action was planned between 11am and midday on 7, 11, 14 and now 21 November.
