An update on our Annual Market Rate Review

Details on how we are progressing reviewing our pay rate ranges for roles not covered by the New Zealand Professional Firefighters Union (NZPFU) Collective Employment Agreement.

We are pleased to share that our annual review of market rates for pay is well underway. Our salary bands are based on market rates for similar roles in the job market.

We review these annually to ensure that our pay bands take into account any changes in market rates. This review process is based on external market data, defined by policy and set out in Collective Employment Agreements (CEAs). We also consider current economic factors, Fire and Emergency’s ability to afford any changes and feedback we receive from our union partners.

It is important to our Executive Leadership Team (ELT) that we progress this in a timely way for our people and we are committed to keeping people informed while delivering the outcome as soon as possible. The market rate review outcomes apply to people who are covered by the following agreements:

• Fire and Emergency Commanders Association (FECA) Collective Agreement (and mirror agreements)
• Public Service Association (PSA) Collective Agreement (and mirror agreements)
• Individual Employment Agreements.

For those employees are covered by the NZPFU Collective Agreement, pay rates will be set in negotiations. The pay rates for employees on mirror agreements to the NZPFU Collective Agreement will be reviewed following the conclusion of collective bargaining with the NZPFU. Employees are on mirror agreements when they are in roles covered by a collective but not a member of that union.

While the outcomes of the Annual Market Rate Review are yet to be determined, Fire and Emergency’s Remuneration policy allows for either maintenance of or increases to current market median rates.

Any changes would be effective from 1 July 2024, so any changes would be backdated to this date. ELT is committed to delivering any changes as soon as practically possible.