Dear Brother/Sister
Employers’ pay proposal: Executive Council assessment and members’ consultation
The Executive Council met yesterday (3 June) to discuss the pay proposal made by the fire service employers at an earlier meeting of the National Joint Council. The employers’ proposal is for an increase of 1.5% on all NJC rates including CPD from July 1st.
The Executive Council took note of various factors:
- The Chancellor’s announcement in November 2020 of a further pay freeze for public sector workers for 2021.
- The decision by some FRS employers to follow this by budgeting for a freeze on pay.
- The refusal of a significant number of Chief Fire Officers and local employers to clarify whether they would support a pay increase offer at the NJC.
- The position taken by a significant group of our employers to support a further pay freeze.
- The threat of imposition of such a pay freeze should the NJC be replaced by a government imposed pay review body.
The Executive Council was clear that this offer will not address the needs of members nor the policies of the union. Once again it reflects the chronic underfunding of our service by central government, who continue to treat firefighters and other key workers with utter disrespect. As we have stated previously, despite calling on the public to clap for key workers during the Covid crisis, the Johnson government has completely failed to provide the funding necessary to provide improvements in pay for those same workers – including firefighters.
Nevertheless, taking into account all factors, the Executive Council appreciated the need to urgently improve the wages of FBU members and concluded that the increase should be made by the NJC. The Executive Council agreed that members should be consulted on the employers’ proposal and recommended to members that this pay increase should be implemented.
Please ensure you take part in the discussions at your branch. Please follow the FBU website and social media for further information on developments.
Yours in unity
Matt Wrack
General Secretary
