Firefighters have agreed to suspend any further strikes as they agree to enter into facilitated mediation for better pay and conditions.
(File image) Photo: RNZ / Rayssa Almeida
Earlier this month, the first national firefighters strike was held, followed by another last week.
In a joint statement released today, Minister of Internal Affairs Jan Tinetti said she had brought the two parties, Fire and Emergency and the New Zealand Professional Firefighters Union (NZPFU), together to discuss a way forward in the collective bargaining dispute.
"The meeting was constructive and the parties shared a willingness to work towards a solution."
They have agreed to enter facilitated mediation with the assistance of an independent mediator and to suspend any industrial action.
Fire and Emergency will also withdraw its request for facilitated bargaining through the Employment Relations Authority.
Both have decided there will be no further public communication on the bargaining until at least 30 September, 2022 - the period for when the agreement is in place.