Pay Protection: Union Calls In ACAS

Brigades urged not to reach agreements locally

FBU General Secretary Andy Gilchrist has written to ACAS formally requesting conciliation -and if necessary arbitration - over the issue of pay protection for FBU members under the move to rank to role.

Since no national agreement has been reach on the substantive move from rank to role, Brigade Committees are urged not to reach any agreement at a local level on this issue. Nor should they participate in processes set up to implement the role-based pay structure.

Implementation should only take place once guidance on pay issues relating to assessment of competence for each role in the integrated personal development system (IPDS) pay structure and the assessment of job size for some of the roles has been agreed by both sides but this has not happened.

Pay Formula: implementation meeting dates being set

The Union and National Employers are currently setting dates for meetings to implement the new professional pay formula, which is to kick in from July 1 this year.

Under the June 2003 Pay and Conditions Agreement, the principles and details on which the new pay formula is based have already been agreed: the average rise in the pay of professional workers (APT).

Pensions: big turn-out for Region 11 seminar

Over 100 branch delegates attended a meeting today in Region 11 on the issue of pensions.

Paul Woolstenholmes, National Officer responsible for pensions, talked briefly on the Union’s campaign nationally, while our pensions advisor Ivan Walker from Thompsons solicitors provided a detailed analysis of the Government’s proposals.

General Secretary Andy Gilchrist rounded off the meeting with a briefing on the recent summit he attended on behalf of the Union with Government ministers, and the way forward for the FBU.

The well attended and well received meeting should put delegates from Kent, Surrey and Sussex in a much stronger position to make decisions and inform members in Region 11 about the pensions issue.

General Secretary Election

Members should have started receiving ballot papers for the election of FBU General Secretary.
If you haven’t received your ballot paper by Tuesday April 19 contact the membership department at FBU Head Office: 0208 541 1765.

The ballot closes May 6.

This election is for the most senior position in the FBU and the outcome will have an important impact on all members’ future, the future of the Union and the future of the UK fire and rescue service.

Failing to use your vote means handing the destiny of the Union for the next five years – and the direction of the workplace campaigns it fights on your behalf – over to somebody else!

Its Your Union – Make Your Voice Heard. Use Your Vote!

Membership Survey – Let us know your views!

Members should have all received a questionnaire along with the latest edition of Firefighter magazine (April 2005). All members are urged to complete it and return it in the freepost envelope provided as soon as possible. Help inform the Union’s review of its structures, and “way of doing things.”

If you didn’t receive one, contact the research department at FBU head office 0208 541 1765 or email firefighter@fbu.org.uk and we will forward you one. Alternatively, fill one in online at www.fbu.org.uk.

General Council meeting

Andy Gilchrist joined other trade union General Secretaries on Wednesday at a key date in the diary of the TUC General Council. The agenda for discussion included the push by the trade union movement to boost recruitment, how to take forward the campaign for improved employment rights after the Warwick agreement and the role of the TUC in supporting the UK trade union movement.

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