Dear Brother / Sister

PENSIONS UPDATE

You will be aware that the Union’s Conference was recalled in Southport on 16th February to discuss the issues of Pensions. Delegates had been mandated on Emergency Resolution 1 from the Executive Council and the clear indications were that the Resolution would receive unanimous support and a strike ballot would then commence.

However, in the days before the Conference there were a number of changes to the situation which delegates were asked to consider. A series of special meetings had taken place between the FBU and the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister between 7th February and 14th February. At these meetings the Union reiterated our opposition to many of the proposals for our Pensions. As a result of these discussions the Fire Minister Jim Fitzpatrick wrote to the Union on 15th February (copy enclosed) outlining a number of changes to the Government’s proposals. The FBU had always made clear that we would not put any proposals to our members which were not clearly outlined in writing.

This letter substantially altered the situation facing us. As a result the Executive Council withdrew the original Resolution and submitted an alternative. The view of the Executive Council was that the new position should be reported in full to all FBU members so that an informed decision could be made. It was felt strongly that FBU members would not wish a ballot for industrial action to proceed without being able to consider this revised position.

The delegates to Conference therefore faced a new situation and this was the main focus of the debate. A number of Resolutions were submitted by Brigade delegations and Conference eventually voted to support Emergency Resolution 8 from Northern Ireland (copy enclosed).

Information on the current situation will be sent to all members’ home addresses in the next few days and your local Officials will be able to provide further details of the debate at Conference.

It is important that all Branches meet to discuss the issue of Pensions over the next period so as to meet the timetable outlined above.

Best wishes.

Yours fraternally

MATT WRACK
GENERAL SECRETARY

EMERGENCY RESOLUTION 8

Conference applauds all FBU members and Officials for their participation in the campaign to defend pension rights and notes that a number of improvements have been achieved on the proposals for pensions.

Conference notes the recent talks regarding pensions between the FBU and the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and the document which has emerged from these talks.

1.         Retirement Age: The FBU has achieved the withdrawal of the proposal to increase the minimum retirement age from 50 to 55 for current members of the FPS.  This marks a significant improvement affecting large numbers of FBU members who form a majority of current FPS members.  However, the FBU remains opposed to the proposed normal retirement age of 60 for new entrants to the Service and will continue to campaign against this.

2.         The FBU has previously welcomed proposals to allow firefighters working the Retained Duty System to be granted occupational pension rights.  We have now achieved the protection of the injury pension provisions for current RDS members.

3.         The FBU has long campaigned for Emergency Fire Control Staff to be granted the same pension rights as firefighters.  We have achieved the ODPM’s agreement in principle to our suggestion and the offer of talks in the immediate future to allow access to the new FPS.

4.         Allowances: We have achieved the withdrawal of the proposals that existing pensionable allowances should not be considered pensionable for new entrants.  This also removes the threat from current members working the FDS.

5.         The FBU remains opposed to the proposed two-tier ill-health pension provision for both new and existing staff.  We note the rapid and substantial decline in the number of ill-health retirements in recent years and believe that the savings which have resulted from this trend should be used to fund improvements elsewhere in the FPS.

6.         We note that details of proposed revisions to the new Compensation Scheme have not yet been published.  We will participate in the consultation process in order to oppose any detrimental changes proposed.

Conference believes that all FBU members will wish to consider the amendments to the proposals and agrees:

1.         That the revised pension proposals will be circulated to all members home addresses.

2.         That all branches should meet to consider the proposals.

3.         That Brigade/Sectional committees shall meet by 9th March to discuss the matter, including the issue of strike action to achieve our remaining objectives.

4.         That a Recall of Conference will be convened to decide upon acceptance or rejection.

Conference believes that these revised proposals represent the best achievable pension arrangements for FBU members by negotiation and therefore recommends that a ballot for strike action does not take place.  However, should the membership decide, through the consultation process that strike action is necessary, the balloting process will proceed forthwith.