1 September 2020
Dear Brother / Sister
Pay 2020
In July, the employers made a proposal through the National Joint Council to increase pay rates by 2% from 1 July. This proposal was issued to FBU members for consideration. The Executive Council had concluded that this proposal did not address the pay concerns of members or begin to address the injustice in our service created by years of pay restraint driven by government imposed austerity. Nevertheless, the alternative at this point would be the money (however limited) sitting in the bank accounts and reserves of our employers and that this money would be better used by our own members in their pay packets. This issue was put out for consultation with FBU members through the union structures. The Executive Council has now considered the results of this consultation and agreed that the employers’ 2% increase should be made. I have today written to the employers to inform them of this. Further details of new rates of pay etc. will be issued by NJC circular in due course.
The need to campaign for investment
The Executive Council was clear that this increase does not and cannot resolve the issue of pay in the fire and rescue service. Our members, along with hundreds of thousands of other public sector workers, have maintained and delivered our essential service through the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic. We have also taken on additional roles and functions which have helped to save lives and keep communities safe. The government – and the fire service employers – must now acknowledge this by delivering the vital investment our service needs. This investment is essential if the issue of declining real pay is to be addressed. The Executive Council is developing the basis for building our campaign around these issues. This will involve the necessary research, communications, lobbying and campaigning activity this autumn. If we are to make progress on this vital issue, it will require the commitment of every single one of us.
The Executive Council will meet soon to discuss the next steps on this matter.
Best wishes.
Yours fraternally
MATT WRACK
General Secretary
