Overtime

Many FBU members will be extremely concerned at attempts by Fire and Rescue
Services (F&RS’s) to introduce Shift and Duty systems which do not form part of, or
comply with, the Scheme of Conditions of Service (Grey Book).

Some F&RS’s are contemplating duty systems which require heavy use of overtime in
order to make them work. As the bait on the hook to tempt members into accepting
these duty systems some F&RS’s are even contemplating an offer of flat/plain rate
overtime in order to achieve their ends.

In the current economic climate of rising living costs, slashed public services, pay
freezes and pension attacks, F&RS management clearly believe now is the time to
press home further attacks on our terms and conditions of employment and that the
lure of hard cash will help them to do so.

If F&RS’s are successful in enticing Firefighters onto duty systems/shifts which require
overtime to prop them up, the clock will be turned back. Jobs in the Fire Service will
be lost.

We call on Conference and the Executive Council to reaffirm it’s commitment to
National Joint Council pay and overtime rates and to condemn any F&RS which seeks
to undermine those pay rates by the use of straightforward bribery.