GOVERNMENT OFFERS FRESH START ON PENSIONS

Commitment to withdraw April 1 changes to LGPS

The FBU has joined other public sector unions in welcoming the Work and Pension's Minister Alan Johnson call today for a fresh start on discussions and for real negotiations on pensions across the whole of the public sector.

FBU General Secretary Andy Gilchrist hailed the “significant” role played by FBU members and officials in the lobbying campaign and said the FBU would continue to play an active part, along with other trade unions, in protecting FBU members’ pensions.

Following the Government move, Unison, TGWU, GMB, Amicus, UCATT and PCS have called off Wednesday’s planned strike at which FBU officials and off-duty members and officials were organising a presence.

‘Time to get it right’

Alan Johnson said: "I think we need to take the time to get this right." He said: “I have today written to [TUC General Secretary] Brendan Barber and agreed to establish the most appropriate high level procedures involving the relevant Ministers from across Government. I am very clear that in those talks all aspects of the Government's proposals will be open to discussion and negotiation.”

Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott said he will withdraw the new LGPS regulations, due to be introduced April 1 this year, “at the earliest parliamentary opportunity.”

‘Nothing ruled in or out’

Prescott stated that ”rather than rush and risk getting the policy wrong we want to ensure we get it right and carry the people affected with us.”

He offered negotiations over the Local Government Pension Scheme – the pension scheme of emergency fire control staff - that would see 'nothing ruled in or out'.

Prescott will chair a new negotiating body composed of trade unions and the employers which will deal with the long-term future of the LGPS.

Strong FBU campaign

FBU General Secretary Andy Gilchrist said:

“The move follows a concerted lobbying campaign across the public sector unions, under the auspices of the TUC through the Public Sector Liaison Group of which the FBU is part. FBU members and officials played a significant part in the lobbying campaign.

“Thousands of FBU members have used the union’s website to lobby their MPs. Many members, brigade and regional officials have also met and lobbied MPs directly and I would like to thank you for supporting the campaign.

“As a result of the offer of talks those local government unions which planned one day strike action on 23 March have called off their industrial action.

Andy Gilchrist added: “The FBU will be attending a Public Sector Liaison Group (PSLG) meeting on Wednesday 23 March at the TUC where the issue will be discussed.
A full report of the offer of discussions and negotiations and details of the PSLG meeting will be reported to the Executive Council on 30 March.”

“Thank you all once again for the hard work you put into this campaign. More hard work may be needed in future but we have demonstrated that we work best when we work together.”

Widened FBU parliamentary group meets

A widened FBU parliamentary group will tomorrow hold its inaugural meeting in the House of Commons.

General Secretary Andy Gilchrist will attend, along with John McGhee, National Officer responsible for the Union’s political work. Andrew Dismore is chairing the group, Michael Clapham will be vice-chair and John McDonnell is expected to be Secretary.

The group will be fully briefed by Andy Gilchrist on our key workplace campaigns.

MPs in this new Group have already sent letters requesting urgent talks with deputy prime minister John Prescott on the need for a new national standard for fire and rescue service emergency response planning.

Said Andrew Dismore MP for Hendon, ahead of the meeting:

"An effective Parliamentary voice for firefighters and emergency fire control staff is greatly needed as we approach the Government's planned changes for the Fire Service. The FBU Parliamentary Group will be invaluable for the FBU to have an effective and co-ordinated Parliamentary Group consistently raising the union's concerns with Ministers and fellow MPs, and using every available Parliamentary channel to advance our cause. I am very honoured to be an active member of the new Group."

Said John McDonnell, MP for Hayes & Harlington:

"The establishment of a Parliamentary Group of MPs on behalf of the union provides firefighters and emergency fire control staff for the first time in the history of the FBU with an organised voice in Parliament to represent the union and its members. We will be standing up for the rights of FBU members and the future of the Fire Service"

Said David Drew, MP for Stroud:

“I very much welcome this development, as I greatly value my links with the FBU. The previous Group brought us together during the very better and painful pay and conditions dispute. I was pleased to be able to make representations on behalf of that Group during the path of the legislation and by lobbying Government.

“I hope that this Group can further bind us together so that we can make sure that the future of the Fire and Rescue Service is properly debated and that there is better understanding of the needs of firefighters and emergency fire control operators in Parliament.”

Fire controls job threat biggest in Service history

The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister’s own figures show that 900 jobs would go as staffing levels were slashed from 1,500 to around 600. These would amount to the biggest single job loss ever in the UK fire service. Almost all the alleged project savings come from slashing the workforce to 600. This would leave little more than 40 people to staff each of the new controls.

This would leave – in a 24-hour 365-day service – no more than eight to ten people on shift
at any one time to cover massive regions, or about one for each current brigade.

Lobby Your MP - Controls

TAKE two minutes to tell your MP this project is a mistake. Simply log on to www.fbu.org.uk and go to “Lobby your MP”.

All you need do is put in your postcode, the campaign kit will work out who your MP is and you can send him or her a pre-prepared letter outlining concerns. It’s that simple and it takes less than two minutes of your time. It’s worth it.

Please forward copies of any replies you receive from MPs to National Officer Geoff Ellis at Head Office or email them to CARe@fbu.org.uk.

Union welcomes move against BNP in Gloucestershire

The Union has “warmly welcomed” and given “full support” to the position that Gloucestershire Fire & Rescue Service have taken in proposing to discipline and possibly dismiss, employees who are members of far-right political parties including the BNP.

As Gloucestershire rightly point out, these people have no place in a public service and as public authorities now have extensive responsibilities under the Race Relations Act 2000, it’s time to take the appropriate action.

The Union will continue, at all levels of the fire and rescue service, to lobby for all local authorities to take the same position that Gloucestershire have, and we call upon all the fire and rescue stakeholders to join us in our campaign to ensure that the modern service is free from the stain of racism and racist behaviour.

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