New Zealand Professional Firefighters Union (NZPFU) Southern branch local secretary and Senior Station Officer Mark Leonard said a day of mediation with Fenz was scheduled for tomorrow in Wellington.
He was meant to attend in person, but as Dunedin was short-staffed, he would attend by Zoom instead.
Ongoing staff shortages were one of the issues the union was trying to make progress on, Mr Leonard said.
He also hoped low pay rates, mental health support, health and income insurance, cancer risks and input into decision-making would be addressed.
While pleased the industrial action had got Fenz back to the table, he was less confident it would be an opportunity for genuine engagement.
The industrial action started on Monday and was scheduled to go until the end of the month.
It would not affect the public, or emergency responses, Mr Leonard said.
Fenz chief executive Kerry Gregory confirmed its bargaining team was expected to attend Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment mediation to discuss how to progress bargaining.
His focus was on keeping communities and firefighters safe, and working constructively through the current situation.
"I appreciate and acknowledge the fantastic work our career firefighters do," Mr Gregory said.
