Submitted by SWFBU on
The ongoing battle against the disgraceful Government plans to tear up Fire Service pensions is coming to a head. Your local FBU Brigade Official recently attended a meeting in London and received a briefing of the situation so far and what we now need to do. Up to know the Union has presented a huge amount of evidence in this process. You can be confident that we have presented the best possible evidence-based case for defending good quality occupational pensions for the Fire and Rescue Service. The issue now is whether Central Government will take proper account of the evidence before it.
That stage has now been reached and we now await crucial decisions from Central Government which will affect our pensions for the future. These include:
· Decisions on Year 2 employee contribution increases.
· Decisions in relation to the Review of Normal Pension Age.
We do not precisely know when these decisions will be made. The decision in relation to contributions is likely be made before the end of March and the Government response to the review of pension age is under consideration by Ministers.
The FBU has initiated a rapid period of consultation meetings with FBU members across the South West where national speakers, who have been directly involved in talks with the Government, will give briefings and updates.
The dates booked so far are set out below-
March 18 - Avon - 11.00am. Venue - Temple Fire Station Bristol. Speaker - General Secretary Matt Wrack.
March 18 - Dorset - 7.30pm. Venue - Poole Fire Station. Speaker - General Secretary Matt Wrack
March 19 - Gloucestershire - 2 meetings 4pm and 6.45pm. Venue - Chosen Hill Rugby Club. Speaker - General Secretary Matt Wrack & FBU National Officer Sean Starbuck
March 21 - Plymouth - 4pm. Venue - Crownhill Fire Station. Speaker - General Secretary Matt Wrack
March 21 - Truro - The Assembly Room in The Hall for Cornwall Truro. 8pm. Speaker - General Secretary Matt Wrack
March 22 - Exmouth - Venue: Exmouth Fire Station. 4pm. Speaker - General Secretary Matt Wrack
March 22 - Taunton - Venue: Taunton Fire Station. 7.30pm. Speaker - General Secretary Matt Wrack
More details will follow and this page will be updated as soon as more details can be confirmed.
The battle to defend our pension has been a long struggle so far and crucial decisions are fast approaching. It is vital that all members play a role in this stage of the campaign.
Please make sure that you attend the meeting nearest to you and have your say against cuts to our pensions!
