Contingency Contract Letters

BERKSHIRE CIRCULAR

Dear all,

You may well receive contingency contract letters in the next few days. The FBU would like to draw your attention to the following extract from the Corporate Management Team minutes 20/09/11 -

“Resilience Agreements – following discussion and consideration of Members comments from the Management Committee, it was decided to reduce the sum payable to £1000.  £500 payable on signing the Agreement for 12 months and a further £500, – one off payment – payable on the first occasion that he individual works during a period of strike action and that all hours worked during a period of strike action would be paid at double time.  DCFO to review, amend and update the CFO’s draft paper to the Fire Authority.  DHR to update the letter to reflect what was agreed by CMT and to add a section to the letter setting out by when the response to the letter is required”

We would point out that, if they are sent, the letters are somewhat premature – the FBU has not balloted for industrial action and remains committed to finding a negotiated settlement over the pensions issue if at all possible. The amount beign offered by the Fire Authority sounds like a lot of money – however, members are reminded that we have endured a two pay freeze and face a likely pension increase that will see firefighters and Control staff pay an additional £70+ into their pension every month for the rest of their careers. Locally, we have seen the financial impact on our retained members caused by the Low Risks Incident Policy while many wholetime members anticipate the loss of the London Fringe Allowance.

You are not obliged to sign the contingency contract letter and the FBU would urge you not to do so. Unity is strength.

Yours fraternally,

Maurice Whyte
FBU Berkshire Brigade Chair
07917065867