FBU general secretary Steve Wright sets the union’s plan to negotiate on pay in the coming year
Pay is the FBU’s number one industrial priority. For 15 years now, firefighters have watched the value of their pay fall. Almost every profession in the public sector has suffered a drop.
There are a record number of billionaires in the UK. Cuts to our living standards, like cuts to public services, have never been a necessity. They are a choice. As a union, it is our job to push the government to make different choices.
And we now have an opportunity to push them hard. Despite its terrible record on many issues, this Labour government has showed signs that it wants to make progress on rebuilding the fire and rescue service.
We meet our employers regularly to discuss pay, but what really matters is the leverage we have. That is the responsibility of every member and every rep in the country.
Our negotiating priorities
- Win pay progression
Once firefighters hit the competent rate, they don’t see a pay rise for the rest of their careers, unless they get promoted or take on additional duties. This is out of step with workers in the NHS, teaching and many other industries. It’s time to end the flat pay structure we currently have.
- Address pay inequality
Pay isn’t just too low, it’s unequal. Unequal between control members and operational firefighters, and unequal geographically. Maternity and paternity leave, and CPD payments, are a postcode lottery. Retained duty system pay and officer terms and conditions also need sorting.
- Recover after austerity
Since 2010, while one in five jobs in our sector has vanished and response times have rocketed, the value of firefighters’ pay has fallen by around 12% in real terms. We need to rebuild our fire service, and that has to include our pay.
Transparency, accountability
Our campaign on pay will be transparent and accountable to members. I and other national officials will be visible in fire stations, control rooms and other workplaces. Every time the National Joint Council meets to conduct negotiations, members will be updated. A circular is already on the FBU website detailing what happened at our June meeting.
The FBU’s elected reps and committees will be at the heart of what we do. The executive council met in July for an all-day strategy discussion, and shortly after this magazine went to print, on 20 August, officials from all brigades were invited to attend a meeting in Birmingham.
The NJC is scheduled to meet again in October and February and we will expect to see a positive outcome from our employers at that stage. But, to be clear, members will decide what is acceptable – or not. You will have your say through our democratic structures – at annual conference, or a special conference. Ultimately, members will decide.
Get lobbying
Our employers have agreed to negotiations covering all these points – but to deliver on any of them, we will need to win investment from central government.
That means that MPs, councillors and fire authorities must hear our message loud and clear. The fire service needs funding, urgently – not just for pay but for job numbers, equipment and training. This is about keeping the public safe.
Every member can play a role, by lobbying the local MPs and councillors where you live and where you work. We want to do this in person wherever possible - get in touch with your Brigade Secretary for details.
Get organised
Our union's ability to negotiate effectively relies on our industrial strength. In the event that an acceptable agreement cannot be reached, we will carefully consider all available options.
Now is the time to discuss pay in your workplace, and to make sure all your colleagues are FBU members. If you have a rep, talk to them about getting more active. If you don’t have a rep, you can become one – just contact your regional and brigade secretary for support.
