Submitted by SWFBU on
TO: ALL MEMBERS
Dear Brother/Sister
PAY: NATIONAL JOINT COUNCIL SETTLEMENT 2015
In a recent circular (2015HOC0359MW) we set out the offer on pay from the Fire Service Employers and the recommendation made by the Executive Council in relation to this. I can inform you that following discussion and consultation through our branch and committee structure the Executive Council was in a position to agree the proposed increase. I attach the two NJC circulars detailing the increases to pay rates and to CPD payments.
Pay squeeze cannot continue
The new Westminster government has already made clear that it intends to continue to squeeze public sector pay as was done under the coalition government. This has left workers across the public sector, including firefighters, suffering falling living standards alongside the numerous other attacks on conditions of service. This is a matter which needs to be discussed within the FBU and across all trade unions organising public sector workers with a view to building a joint campaign to challenge government pay policy. The FBU will play its part in such discussions and in any such campaign which emerges.
At the same time we continue to engage with the Fire Service Employers in discussion about the work already undertaken by firefighters or work which might be undertaken by firefighters as our service continues to adapt to the changing risks facing our communities. We are already aware of areas of work which employers would like firefighters to undertake but which are clearly outside of our role maps and are therefore not part of our contracts. Our Conference in May agreed that these discussions should continue and that our aims for a longer-term pay structure should be central to these.
Clearly, none of these discussion will be easy against the background of a government, committed to further attacks on the public sector and public sector workers. Nevertheless, we shall continue to make the case for a modern, professional Fire and Rescue Service and for the appropriate pay and reward system to support it.
Further information will be made available as these discussions develop.
Best wishes.
Yours fraternally,
MATT WRACK
GENERAL SECRETARY
