Reduced Retaining Fees

Following the success of the FBU in securing the 120 hour measurement for full retaining fees, many brigades have been adjusting the availability of new recruits so it falls just below 120 hours. This revised figure then allows them to pay a reduced retaining fee. This is resulting in many of our RDS members being in receipt of retaining fees that are below what was paid prior to the settlement of the 2002 pay dispute, often for providing a mere handful of hours less cover. Therefore, this Conference demands that the Executive Council meet with the NJC and negotiate the removal from the Grey Book of the facility for fire and rescue authorities to reduce the retaining fee by up to 25%.