The executive council of the Fire Brigades Union is recommending that members accept a pay offer of 3.2%, with additional commitments to discuss pay progression and other additional payments.
However, Steve Wright, the union’s general secretary, has warned that “inflation-level pay rises will not be enough”, and that the government must invest to protect the public and fund bigger pay increases in the future.
Unlike many other sectors, pay in the fire service is negotiated directly between the Fire Brigades Union and national fire service employers at the National Joint Council (NJC).
If accepted, the offer would come into effect from 1st July across the UK and would mean:
- A headline 3.2% increase on all basic pay rates and Continual Professional Development
- Scrapping the ‘trainee’ rate of pay, meaning that all new recruits start on the higher ‘development’ rate
- Immediate negotiations around pay progression and pay for additional duties and skills
FBU members will now vote on the offer, with results expected before the union’s conference in late May.
Steve Wright, Fire Brigades Union general secretary, said:
“The FBU executive council has today recommended that members vote to accept a pay offer from the fire service employers.
“3.2% will insulate firefighters and fire control staff from inflation for a year. This offer will also open up the possibility of restructuring fire service pay to recognise additional skills and duties.
“But we need to be clear that inflation-level pay rises will not be enough in the long run. Since 2010, firefighters have lost around 12% of the value of their pay. Workers rightly expect Labour to repair the damage of austerity.
“Firefighters and fire control staff work round the clock, often risking their own health and safety, to keep the public safe. The new government has an opportunity to rebuild the fire service with investment and pay reform. We will push them to deliver.
“This year’s pay offer is now in the hands of FBU members. The executive council recommends that they accept it.”
