Save our Fire Stations – epetition

An e-petition has been set up to demand that the Government holds true to its election pledge that no front line services will be cut and they halt the closure of any London Fire Station and any job cuts within the London Fire Brigade being imposed by London Mayor Alexander Boris de Pfeffel Johnson

Please sign it here

A Future That Works : TUC March October 20th 2012

Why we’re marching

Austerity isn’t working

Our country faces long-term economic problems. But our political leaders have failed to face up to them.

For the next five years or more, unless policies change the economy will not grow, incomes will not rise, and there will be almost no new jobs.

If the government keeps on with big spending cuts and austerity  we face a lost decade. Even on their own terms government policies are failing. To close the deficit we need a healthy growing economy that generates tax income. But austerity has led to a vicious circle of decline.

Read more and pledge your support here

Tunnel 2 Towers Run

The inaugural annual Tunnel 2 Towers Run London (Approx 5k) will take place this year on 21st October 2012.

Click here to go to their website for more information on the run and how to enter.

TRADE DISPUTE: DRAFT AGREEMENT REACHED

TRADE DISPUTE: DRAFT AGREEMENT REACHED

Following further discussions between officials from the Fire Brigades Union and senior managers from the London Fire Brigade, the union is now in a position to formally recommend a draft agreement, with a view to resolving the current trade dispute.

The draft agreement, along with relevant appendices, will be circulated shortly, and should be the subject of membership consultation and voting at FBU branch meetings. Following these meetings, the union’s London regional committee (LRC) will convene on 30 June to decide whether to formally ratify the draft agreement.

The current industrial action short of a strike is now formally suspended with immediate effect, pending the outcome of the membership consultation and LRC meeting.

FBU officials are available to attend branch meetings to discuss the draft agreement and answer questions.

Yours in unity

LONDON REGION FBU

TRADE DISPUTE: LATEST DEVELOPMENTS

TRADE DISPUTE: LATEST DEVELOPMENTS

As members will be aware, representatives from the London Fire Brigade and Fire Brigades Union have been involved in intensive negotiations over recent weeks, in an attempt to bring an end to the ongoing trade dispute.

Progress has been made in the discussions, and the union’s London regional committee believes there is now the potential for agreement.

With a view to informing the debate at branches, we attach a copy of a draft agreement. Please note that this is not a final document: discussions remain ongoing, and agreement is still to be reached in certain areas, such as secondary contracts and CPD for middle managers.

However, it is important for debate to begin at branches, and this document facilitates that.

Members will see that, among other things, the draft agreement provides for:

• Consolidation of CPD into core pay without application for firefighters, crew managers and watch managers
• A 2.8% increase in London weighting allowance (LWA), and withdrawal of the proposal to consolidate LWA into core pay
• The withdrawal of all-day standbys for Strategic Resource
• One-off payments of between £300-£1,250 for acceptance of the agreement
• Annual allowances of between £200-£400 for acting-up, in addition to the regular acting-up allowance per shift
• A reduction in the period for crew managers deputising
• A one-off payment of £400 for day-duty staff, in return for agreement on a revised day duty system
• Withdrawal of proposed changes to the mutual exchanges policy
• Deferment of proposals to introduce Work Back Pay Back, and withdrawal of various detrimental changes to the attendance policy

 

Discussions remain ongoing, and members will be informed of further developments.

Further explanatory notes will be circulated by the union in due course. Meanwhile, any questions should, in the first instance, be addressed to your FBU borough secretary.

In line with previous commitments given by the union, any final proposed agreement will be subject to approval by members.

Yours in unity

 

LONDON REGION FBU

View Draft agreement here

Messages of Condolence – Mick Shaw

 
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Romford Recorder: Tributes to Romford’s Mick Shaw who fought for the rights of firefighters

Guardian.co.uk: Tribute to Mick Shaw

 

Please use the email form below to send any messages of condolence.

We will pass all messages on.

[180MW] Firefighter Pension Schemes: Latest Developments

CIRCULAR: 2012HOC0180MW

26 March 2012

TO:          ALL MEMBERS

 

Dear Brother/Sister

FIREFIGHTER PENSION SCHEMES: LATEST DEVELOPMENTS

Members will be aware that the Executive Council recently adjourned in order to be able to discuss all aspects of pensions once further information was available.

The key issues for consideration are:

1. Review of opt-outs and the implications of increasing employee contributions.
2. Review of Normal Pension Age.
3. Employee pension contribution for 2012-2013.

The Firefighters Pension Committee (FPC) meets this week (28 March) and, among other things, will consider the following two papers – which are both attached:

• Review of Opt-outs: Terms of Reference.

• LGA Proposal for the Firefighters’ Pensions Committee’s Review of Normal Pension Age for Firefighters.

The FBU has argued that Central Government proposals to increase employee contributions will have the effect of increasing the number of members who choose to opt-out of (or not join)  the schemes. We submitted significant evidence around this issue. As a result of the subsequent discussions with Employers and Government it has been agreed that the FPC should conduct a thorough review of the issues raised. The Terms of Reference for this are attached and work has already begun to identify data and other information which will be required.

Likewise, the FBU has consistently challenged the suggestion that Firefighters will be able, in significant numbers to work to a Normal Pension Age (NPA) of 60. Again we have submitted significant evidence on this issue. As a result of the subsequent discussions the Employers have made the proposal for a review of NPA for members of the Firefighters’ schemes. Terms of Reference for this review have been submitted for the FPC meeting this week and are attached for your information.

We expect an announcement to be made in relation to pension contributions soon and will provide that information as soon as it is available.

The Executive Council meets later this week and will assess developments in relation to employee contribution increases and the two reviews.

 

Best wishes.

Yours fraternally

 

 

MATT WRACK

GENERAL SECRETARY

Unions considering next steps over pension’s measure switch

The Court of Appeal has today rejected the appeal brought by PCS, POA, FBU, NASUWT, UNITE and Unison in relation to the switch in indexation from RPI to CPI for public sector pensions.

The switch in the measure used to increase public sector pensions annually also impacts on private sector schemes which do not have the RPI indexation written into their rules. Read more

[128MW] – Call for Industrial Action – London

CIRCULAR 2012HOCO128MW

22^nd February 2012

TO:  All Members London

C.c. Regional Officials

Dear Brother/Sister,

Call for Industrial Action

Members have been notified of the industrial action following the ballot for action short of a strike.

As the person authorised to make the call for industrial action I confirm that continues to be the position but, in addition, from 09:30 hours on 29^th February 2012 the following will also apply as part of the ongoing action short of a strike:

• A ban on any new voluntary acting up or temporary promotion regardless of shift or location within the brigade and its boundaries;

• A ban on participating in all voluntary courses and exercises.

This is the action which has been determined upon. We hope the matter will be resolved shortly. If not, any further forms of action to be called in respect of this ongoing industrial action will be notified once determined. Members are now instructed to take continuous industrial action as specified above and previously, and any further action to be so notified. In the case of the additional action set out above, this is to commence from and not earlier than 09.30 hours on 29^th February 2012.

Best wishes.

Yours fraternally,

MATT WRACK

General Secretary

MW/PW/JW

2012 Pensions Calculator and Powerpoint

Powerpoint presentation: Heads of agreement unacceptable PP with speaker notes included

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