By Tristram Clayton
John Key came to talk about a new fire station, the fire fighters only wanted to talk about pay.
While the opening of the 4.9 million dollar station went ahead, it was impossible to ignore the protesting firefighters outside.
“Obviously nobody's going to say ‘no we don't want it’ but what we are saying is that it's a little bit extravagant for what we need,” says Jeff McCulloch from the Firefighters’ Union.
Fire fighters have been locked in pay negotiations since January.
Around 1600 of them began low level industrial action in July, when they were knocked back on a two percent rise.
“The State Services Commission said ‘no you can't have it you're not having anything at all’,” says Mr McCulloch.
“If there is to be a 2% pay increase then we have to save 2% in other parts of the organisation,” says Mike Hall, Fire Service chief executive.
Inside Key carried out the ceremonial part of his duties, then stepped out to face the firefighters.
“What I'm saying to you is you deserve a fair deal and we've got to make sure you get a fair deal but its also got to be seen in the context of what's happening out there to everybody which is either zero or people are actually taking pay cuts,” say Mr Key.
By the time Key had gone he hadn't resolved the pay dispute, but the firefighters seemed to appreciate that he'd had the courage to meet them.
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