Calls for government to step in before fire fighter strikes

The New Zealand Professional Fire Fighters Union (NZPFU) says a caretaker coalition could still act to prevent fire fighters from walking off the job at the end of the month.

The nearly 400,000 special votes, which could alter the final make up of the future government, were unlikely to be fully counted until November 27.

Union National Secretary Wattie Watson said, in the lead up to the election, 88 percent of union members voted in favour of taking four 10 hour strikes before the end of the year.

She said the union was calling on the government to step in, as FENZ had shown little desire to settle collective agreement negotiations.

"It's not like we're expecting them to come and say 'we'll do this level of deal with you'. We're just wanting them to get the right people in the room.

"I don't think either side of the political spectrum has any faith in the leadership of FENZ currently. So all we're asking is for them to work with us to get a process on board and I think it's doable," Watson said.

Watson said the first 10 hour strike was scheduled to take place the day the deadline for the collating of the special votes expired.

Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ) has warned the decision will create an "extreme risk to public safety," and could have fatal consequences.

FENZ national commander Megan Stiffler previously told RNZ the escalation in strikes could have fatal consequences.

"We will do everything practically possible to protect the public, but there are significant gaps in the emergency response we can provide that simply cannot be filled."

Stiffler called on the NZPFU to reconsider its decision.