Firefighters in Lincolnshire are demanding private outsourcing firm Serco take urgent action after IT failings that have led to four months of failed salary and pension payments. Serco won the contract to process Lincolnshire county council authority payments to firefighters and other public sector workers in April.
The Fire Brigades Union in Lincolnshire have said that the worst case scenario means that some firefighters have not received their full salary since April and with no payments being made into their pensions meaning its worth could be reduced on retirement.
Ben Selby, chair of the FBU in Lincolnshire, called the situation a ‘complete shambles’.
Selby said: “Firefighters here are struggling to make mortgage payments and pay their bills – up to 800 have been caught up in this mess. Every month Serco are reassuring us that they are fixing the problems but there is no evidence to suggest this. Serco are being paid handsomely by the taxpayer for the delivery of an incompetent service.”
Although hardship payments have been made to those affected, the amounts are far below their salaried wage with some firefighters being paid just £50 for 168 hours work.
The FBU are now calling for Serco to liaise with West Yorkshire Pension Services, who administer the pensions of firefighters in the region, and contact all firefighters whose pension may be affected.
Serco took over the contract to process Lincolnshire county council authority payments in April at the same time a new computer system was introduced. Schools in the county have also been affected.
