The executive council of the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) is currently in discussion about a pay settlement that has been offered by the Fire and Rescue Services National Employers.

The two stage settlement has been outlined in a letter from Simon Pannell, the secretary of the National Joint Council Employers' Side, to Matt Wrack, general secretary of the FBU. 

The letter outlines the following offer: 

  1. Stage 1 – to immediately apply a 2.0% increase on basic pay across the board with effect from 1st July 2017. This includes CPD payments. This will allow time to reach a permanent agreement that can meet both parties’ aspirations.
  2. We expect to be able to reach a deal through the NJC which would: build upon the current broadening the role of firefighters negotiations; agree a permanent position; and include how the arrangements for the pay awards for 2018, 2019, and possibly 2020 will be staged fitting into an overall pay framework (including that relating to Retained Duty System firefighters).
  3. Stage 2 - Assuming the deal referred to in (ii) above is reached, we will apply a further 3% increase with effect from 1st April 2018 as part of the 2017 settlement.
  4. However as you are aware fire and rescue services have had to deal with significantly reduced finances over recent years. Therefore, to be absolutely clear, in order to be able to apply the stage 2 increase it will also have to be subject to governments across the UK providing funding to enable us to do so. 
  5. We would want to urgently discuss with all four UK governments as soon as possible, both jointly and where appropriate separately, how the service can be put on a firm financial footing to enable change to be achieved. The role of the service has evolved and needs to continue to evolve.
  6. In the interim, the current positions in respect of work being undertaken by employees through the trials and that related to MTFA would need to be maintained throughout the negotiation."

The FBU’s executive council is currently discussing the offer. Check back for updates in the near future.

You can read the letter in full here.

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Pay