NZ Professional Firefighters Union in 'disarray', communications reveal
Friday, 2 November 2018
A flaming row between senior national firefighter union officials has been aired, revealing a 'silly' dispute resulting in the expulsion of two members amid defamation claims.
Newsletters detail fiery exchanges during the presidency and vice presidency elections of the New Zealand Professional Firefighters Union (NZPFU) between the former and current presidents - and months on the dispute is far from over.
A recent newsletter - subsequently deleted - shows mediation attempts between the parties have fallen over.
In July the elections were reported by the union to be 'complicated' by alleged 'false and defamatory accusations' made by then-committee secretary John Waldow 'on behalf of the Auckland committee' against presidency candidate Ian Wright.
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'The Union Committee resolved that these false accusations be withdrawn and an apology made. This resolution has not been complied with,' the newsletter said.
Subsequently Waldow and fellow committee member, then-president Sulu Devoe, were ejected and Wright elected president.
A newsletter at the time described the expulsions as 'unprecedented and upsetting'.
'The National Committee understand their action will cause some members considerable anger and it is hoped the actions they may take will be considered against the intent behind the need for the National Committees decision.'
Devoe claims the expulsions were on account of the union's rejection of the latest collective contract, and says the union is now on the brink of collapse.
'The union is in disarray, because of some of the actions by the national committee and our expulsion,' Devoe, who questions the validity of the expulsion, said.
'This is silly,' he said. 'If the national union doesn't deal with this properly it is highly likely these people will walk away and start their own union.'
Newly-elected NZPFU president Ian Wright said the expulsions had nothing to do with the defamation allegations.
He disputed the union was taking steps to split and declined to comment further.
But in a post written this week, it was reported at a subsequent meeting - where Wright and two other senior union officials few to Auckland to meet Devoe - communications broke down.
'This was obviously disappointing to the Union who had contributed significant [fianances] and time to attempting to resolve the current situation,' the post read.
'Anyone who has been in a dispute situation must realise that it is only through discussion and conciliation that a resolution can be achieved.
'Making take it or leave it demands does not at all suggest a genuine attempt to resolve issues - very disappointing.'
The post has since been removed.
Waldow didn't respond to multiple requests for comment.
Fire and Emergency declined to comment.