Ill-Health Pensions

Conference notes with disappointment the outcome of the Judicial Review over Ill-health Pensions on 15th May 2008. Conference cannot and will not accept that firefighters who are injured at work or who are otherwise unable to continue with their employment due to health problems could be left in a position without a job or a pension. Conference instructs the Executive Council to discuss with our legal advisors the possibility of an appeal against this decision with a view to launching such an appeal. Conference notes that this situation - of firefighters facing the prospects of no job and no pension simply as a result of ill-health or injury - was a direct result of actions by Government. This matter could have been resolved months ago if Government had immediately responded to the concerns of Firefighters. Once again, it has been clearly demonstrated that only the Fire Brigades Union is in a position to defend the interests of Firefighters and their families. Conference congratulates all members who have participated over the past ten months in the FBU campaign - Justice for Firefighter Pensions. Through this campaign the Fire Brigades Union has highlighted the disgraceful treatment of the three retired members whose pensions were stopped and the threat to thousands of Firefighters and their families. Ill-health and injury protection are essential in the Fire and Rescue Service and Conference is determined to defend ill-health and injury provision by whatever means may be necessary. Conference welcomes the revised guidance on ill-health matters issued by the Scottish Government for implementation on 1st May 2008 and the revised draft guidance issued by CLG on 15th May 2008 for consultation. Conference instructs the Executive Council to continue to discuss this matter with CLG and with Fire and Rescue Service employers in order to ensure the continuation of ill-health and injury protection for Firefighters throughout the UK. Conference is not prepared to tolerate such treatment of Firefighters in the future. Should any member be placed in a similar position either: (a) as a direct result of central Government guidance or policy or, (b) as a result of the actions of an individual authority and further, (c) should the revised CLG guidance not materialise, or (d) should any of the guidance be detrimentally changed the Executive Council are instructed to initiate an immediate campaign of opposition. This shall include consultation with members with a recommendation for strike action.