South Yorkshire Fire Crews Lobby MPs Over Huge Cuts to Fire Service With One in Five Frontline Posts Under Threat

MEDIA RELEASE

Fire crews from across South Yorkshire are lobbying local MPs over cuts to frontline services at the House of Commons on Wednesday 1 February. Central Government austerity cuts will see the loss of 140 frontline firefighter posts and the loss of five 999 appliances.

Budget cuts mean the fire authority is looking to make £10 million in savings. It plans to cut £3 million from its admin budget and £7 million by cuts to frontline crews.

In addition, the fire authority plans to close 4 fire stations, replacing them with two new fire stations. That will mean longer distances for fire appliances to travel, increasing attendance times.

John Gilliver, FBU brigade secretary said: “These are slash and burn cuts with frontline crews being targeted once again. Politicians of all parties promised no cuts to the front line, but that is precisely what continues to happen.

“We’re going to end up with even more cuts to firefighters, fewer appliances and fewer stations. Frontline crews will be spread even more thinly than we are now.

“We were over-stretched by major flooding a few years ago, if anything like that happens again we’ll be over-whelmed. It is difficult enough coping since the last round of cuts and these are a step too far.

“How can they expect us to cope with all the 999 incidents we have to deal with, after cuts of this magnitude? It is simply unreal to expect us to be able to do so no matter how dedicated we are to serving our local communities.

“These cuts would clearly increase risk to the public and firefighters. We’re asking our MPs of all political parties to start demanding to know how we’ll cope in the future.”

Cuts include:

• The closure of Royston Fire Station resulting in the loss of its only Emergency Fire Appliance and frontline firefighter posts
• The closure of Darnall and Mansfield Road Fire Stations, being replaced with 1 new fire station – the loss of 2 Emergency Fire Appliances and front line firefighter posts
• Closure of Mosborough Fire Station – replaced with a new station at Birley with proposed changes to staffing arrangements resulting in the loss of Mosborough RDS staff
• Loss of 1 Emergency Fire Appliance at Elm Lane Fire Station – replaced with a small incident unit resulting in the loss of front line firefighter posts
• Loss of 1 Emergency Fire Appliance at Edlington Fire Station resulting in the loss of front line firefighter posts
• Changes to staffing arrangements at six fire stations meaning firefighters will be required to be on duty for 96 continuous hours. This will result in the loss of frontline firefighter posts from the following: Lowedges Fire Station, Aston Park Fire Station, Rivelin Fire Station, Tankersley Fire Station, Maltby Fire Station, Thorne Fire Station
• Loss of 16 front line firefighter posts at Dearne Fire Station – this follows the recent closure of Mexborough and Brampton Fire Stations
• Loss of 5 emergency firefighter control staff – reducing the number of already over stretched, highly qualified staff to mobilise Fire Appliances and to provide life saving guidance
• Loss of 34 front line crew manager posts

***ENDS***

Media contacts:

John Gilliver 07974083381

Sarah Eratt Brigade Chair 07973666086

Matt Winslow Brigade Organiser 07966053184

Fire Service Officers Will Lobby MPs on Pensions as They Face Huge Rises in Pension Contributions – An Extra £2,700 to £7,200 for the Three Years to 2014 Alone

MEDIA RELEASE

Fire service officers are lobbying MPs over the Government’s controversial pension reforms, which will see their pension contributions hit up to 16% by 2014. They face EXTRA payments of between £2,700 and £7,200 over the next three years alone.

The small but carefully targeted lobby will be taking place on Tuesday 31^st January. The officers will be at Westminster from 11.30hrs, (contact details below).

The Government plans to increase pension contributions for fire service officers from the current 11% rising in stages to between 14.5% and 16% by 2014.  That will mean extra contributions of between £2,700 for watch managers, £4,000 for fire station managers, £5,500 for a fire service group manager up to £7,200 for a fire service area manager over those three years.

From 2015 in the proposed new pensions scheme the Government’s current proposals would mean:

• Watch managers will pay an EXTRA £1,200 EVERY year
• Station managers will be paying an EXTRA £1,900 EVERY year
• Group managers will be paying an EXTRA £2,500 EVERY year
• Area managers will be paying over £3,000 EXTRA EVERY year.

*all figures are for those with a ‘protected’ normal retirement age for those in the main Firefighters Pensions Scheme at today’s pay rates

Martin Pottinger FBU Officers National Committee Secretary said: “Everyone in the fire service faces being hit by these pension changes. But the higher up the chain of command the harder you are being hit.

“Like firefighters, officers are at the heart of our emergency response to all incidents. These include being on the scene of major high profile incidents or managing response from command centres.

“We’ve been stung by three years of a pay freeze with little prospect of an increase in the following two years. Officers are also being hit hard by cuts and taking on much more work to fill the gaps caused by the dangerous reduction in staff and standards.

“All of that is on top of a duty system, where we are working flexi-duty of between 72 and 78 hours a week already.

“We’re a small group representing thousands of fire officers who are all very angered by what is being proposed. We’re taking that message to MPs.

***ENDS***

Media contact:

Martin Pottinger 07827 300075

Union Warns “Savage Cuts” Will Hit Response Times as Kent Fire Authority Considers Plans to close 8 fire stations

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Kent fire crews are warning that response times to fires will get worse if the Fire Authority rubber stamps controversial plans to close eight fires stations. Kent Fire Brigades Union say station closures will increase risk to the public and to firefighters.

Kent and Medway Fire and Rescue Authority make the crucial decision on whether or not to close eight fire stations in Kent at a meeting on 15th February. Halling, St Margaret’s, Horton Kirby, Queenborough, Seal, Rusthall, Sturry and Matfield are all due to be shut as part of a review of fire cover.

The closures will result in an increase in response times, some as much as 4 ½ minutes. Many areas will see an increase to over 10 minutes in the time it takes to get a fire engine. This is above the threshold the KFRS sets as its attendance standard performance target.

During the consultation period a number of concerns from the villages and areas affected by the proposed closures were highlighted, for example:

• Increases in population due to new housing developments
• The geographic isolation of some of the affected areas
• Their close proximity to traffic accident hot spots, and notoriously dangerous roads

The Fire Authority will decide the fate of the eight stations at their meeting on the 15th February held at Service Headquarters, Maidstone

FBU Kent Brigade Secretary, Mark Simmons said:

“It’s incredible that unions, staff, members of the public, councillors and MPs have all stood in opposition to these proposals – yet Kent Fire and Rescue Service is still headlong intent to steamroller these plans through, in spite of revealing that this is not about making notable financial savings.

“To wait an extra 4½ minutes for the arrival of a fire engine is very concerning as fires spread very quickly.. The fire service knows that seconds count, and any increase to response times would have an impact.

“The quicker we can get to an incident the better chance we have of achieving a successful outcome. Fires develop very quickly, and it’s important we get there as soon as possible.

“Fighting fires is dangerous in any circumstances, but tackling a fire that has been left longer to develop creates added risks to firefighters as well as increasing the possibility of fatalities or serious casualties. It also leads to much greater damage to the property be it a home, business or other place of work.

“We’d urge the Fire Authority to look and listen to the responses during the consultation. We’d also urge them to think again about the savage cuts that are being proposed and the effects they will have.”

***ENDS***

Contacts:

Mark Simmons 07827 300146

Jenny Impey 07769 249102

Judgment in Pensionable Pay Case – Norman v Cheshire FRS

CIRCULAR 2012HOCO062SS                                                                     
26^thJanuary 2012
TO:          BRIGADE SECRETARIES
Cc            All Officials

Dear Brother/Sister,

You may be aware of the legal case ‘Norman v Cheshire FRS’ which surrounded the issue of pensionable pay and the interpretation of Rule G1 of the 1992 Firefighters’ Pension Scheme. This case was heard on 18 & 19 October 2011 and the Judgment was handed to the FBU late in December 2011. This Judgment was subject to appeal so could not be shared at that time.

This position has now been clarified and we can report that although Cheshire FRS were given leave to appeal this will not be progressed. The Judgment has now been attached for your information.

Brief summary of the Judgment

Mr Justice Andrew Smith ruled in favour of the position presented by Anthony White QC on behalf of Mr Norman.

In essence this decision clarifies that the Union’s interpretation of Rule G1 was correct and that the consolidated pay received by Firefighters working the Day Crewing system in Cheshire falls within the meaning of pensionable pay.  In addition to this the decision said that flexible duty pay payable to Officers working the Flexible Duty System and London Weighting is pensionable.

Token gesturing from other so called representatives

You may also be aware that the Fire Officers Association has lodged a trade dispute which includes an element challenging the decision to ‘Alter the pensionable status of The Flexible Duty Supplement associated with the Flexible Duty System’ and presented a paper ‘Proposed Amendment to Firefighters’ Pension Schemes Rule G1, Pensionable pay and average pensionable pay: Treatment of Flexible Duty Supplement’ to the 43^rd Firefighters Pension Committee.

We have reported our legal challenge and its potential implications on numerous occasions to members of the Firefighter Pension Committee as well as raising several concerns about how pensionable pay is being dealt with throughout the UK fire and rescue service. What is comical is that at the 11^th hour FOA felt that they were representing officer members by lodging what can best be described as token gestures which have now been rendered totally irrelevant by the legal action taken by the FBU. If people needed proof that we are the only organisation representing officers in the fire service this is another example.

What is even more astounding is that when the ‘Norman v Cheshire FRS’ was mentioned at the 43^rd FPC other organisations had no idea of what it meant.

What is absolutely clear is that it is the FBU, through this Judgment, that has clarified the position on pensionable pay for flexible duty and we should use this information to remind people that we are the real voice of the professionals in the fire service.

Next steps

There are far reaching consequences from the ruling which will need to be explored in detail over the coming weeks and Executive Council Members will be discussing this at the meeting in February. You will of course receive further information as it becomes available.

Yours fraternally,

SEAN STARBUCK
National Officer
SS/EMH

Hands Off Our Pensions: Opt Out Concerns

CIRCULAR 2012HOC0061MW
26 January 2012
TO: ALL MEMBERS

Dear Brother/Sister

You will be aware that we have been providing evidence of the potential costs, both long-term and short-term, of the Government proposals to increase contribution rates for the Firefighters’ pension schemes. I recognise that these make pretty grim reading, especially for those in the New Firefighter Pension Scheme who see a potential 4.7% increase by April 2015 which amounts to a 55% increase on the amount they currently pay.

One of the most concerning things being reported at the moment by our Officials is that members are becoming increasingly angry and concerned about these figures and are making enquiries about opting out of (i.e. leaving) their current pension scheme.

I issued a circular 2011HOCO420MW in September 2011 which advised members that:

‘Whilst it is sensible that all members plan for their future and consider all the options available to them it must also be stressed that at this moment in time the pension schemes remain unchanged and that the arrangements for future scheme proposals are completely unresolved’.

It also stated that:

‘Although the coalition government’s proposals for working longer, paying more and getting less remain unaltered, so does our position, and members are strongly advised not to rush into any decision on opting out or not joining until all negotiations have been concluded and all the details are available’.

I must reiterate the advice contained within this circular and strongly advise members not to rush into any decision until all the facts and figures about any future proposals are available. Currently this is not the case. It is important that any such important financial decision is based on access to full and accurate information.

I am also receiving anecdotal evidence that some members have now taken this a step further and have actually opted out of their scheme. This is a worrying development that we are raising with the Government and urging them to take notice of our concerns before it is too late and they are left with unaffordable/unsustainable schemes because they took no action to prevent this.

I have also been made aware that the number of new entrants to the Service joining the pension scheme appears to be dropping because they view it as unaffordable and have very little confidence in their future benefits being maintained.

It is extremely important that members do not take any drastic decisions on opting out until all the facts are available. The FBU is continuing to campaign against detrimental changes to our pensions and demanding that the Government act to encourage members to join and remain members of the Firefighters pension schemes.

The FBU will continue to take part in all the scheduled consultation meetings and will keep members informed of any developments through the usual channels. It is extremely important that you keep up with these developments and make every effort to attend your Branch Meetings.

Best wishes.

Yours fraternally

MATT WRACK
GENERAL SECRETARY
MW/sll

Hands Off Our Pensions Campaign: Government Sets Deadline Then Fails to Comply With It

CIRCULAR 2012HOC0059MW
26 January 2012
TO: ALL MEMBERS

Dear Brother/Sister

You will be aware that the Government set a deadline of 20 January 2012 for the conclusion of discussions around Fire Service pensions (see circular 2011HOC0645MW on the FBU website). Following this we had been told to expect a document from the Government outlining their position on future pension arrangements. In relation to the deadline, we have continuously raised concerns that the arbitrary timescales being imposed are totally unacceptable.

Late on 20 January we were informed that a delay had occurred as a result of an error by the Government Actuary’s Department (GAD) in its costing of the proposals and for this reason no proposals would be presented. The Ministerial Statement planned for Monday 23 January was also cancelled.

The Union was subsequently invited to a meeting on 23 January where an explanation of this delay was presented. It was explained that one of the financial tests required by HM Treasury on the draft proposals had not been carried out. As a result of this failure the draft proposals from CLG could not be presented as previously planned.

As a result of this we are informed that a revised set of proposals will be drawn up and presented as soon as possible. These documents are expected shortly and the Government has now decided to extend the deadline for the process until 8 February 2012 with a Ministerial Statement now expected on 9 February 2012. However, in view of these latest developments, FBU members are likely to be cautious about any such timeframe.

Talks Continue

In our most recent meetings with Government officials and employers we have pressed our arguments on the issue of Normal Pension Age. We have previously explained the significance of this both for individual members and for the wider funding of pensions.

We have submitted a huge amount of evidence focusing on the fact that the Government plans for the Normal Pension Age (NPA) of 60 for all Firefighters in the future is totally unworkable. We have yet to receive any evidence to support the Government’s proposals. We have also written personally to Lord Hutton asking him for his evidence to support his recommendations for increasing the NPA and seeking to discuss this matter with him.

As a result of these recent discussions the Local Government Association (LGA) – representing English Fire Service Employers wrote to the CLG proposing that before there is any change to the current NPA’s that they should undertake a review of the unique characteristics of the work involved in all roles covered by the Firefighter pension schemes. We will now explore what such a review might involve.

In addition to this, the Government is now suggesting that there could be a review of the impact of the first year contribution changes including the effects of opt-outs before deciding on subsequent increases.

We have explained to Government officials that while these review suggestions may be a welcomed acknowledgement of our concerns, a great deal more detail is required. In addition to this we have informed them that the logical position would be to have a review of the potential impact of the increase in contributions before any increases are imposed. Failure to do this would create an extremely high risk of the review being nothing more than a post-mortem highlighting how many scheme members have actually left rather than looking at potential problems to be avoided.

The Executive Council is due to meet again next week where any further developments will be reported.

This is a critical stage of the campaign which will involve members making a decision on the proposals put forward by the Government and the options that are available. It is extremely important that you are up to speed with the current position so that any decision is made on an informed basis.

Please ensure you attend any meetings arranged and that you keep up-to-date with circulars and updates on the website.

Best wishes.

Yours fraternally

MATT WRACK
GENERAL SECRETARY
MW/sll

Gloucestershire Fire Crews Slam “Cuts by Stealth” as Fire Authority Consider Plans to Cut at Least One in Eight Front Line Posts

MEDIA RELEASE

Gloucestershire Fire Brigades Union (FBU) have hit out at “cuts by stealth” which will see the loss of nearly one in eight full-time frontline firefighters. It says the cuts will mean longer waits for key firefighting equipment, increasing risk to the public and fire crews themselves.

Under the plans nearly one in eight frontline full-timers will be lost – 24 out of 206 – but the ultimate figure could be considerably more. The fire authority meets to consider the plans on 1st February 2012.

The 3-year plan, does not mention the number of frontline posts being lost. The proposals to cut firefighters available to crew turntable ladders – high reach appliances – would see jobs lost.

Currently the four vehicles have specific crews. In future these specific crews will be axed meaning the appliances can only be used if there is a crew available. The specialist higher reach fire fighting and rescue appliances may no longer be immediately available when needed.

The cuts would lead to a significant reduction in the number of full-time crews available to deal with every kind of emergency across the county. This includes dealing with the aftermath of a terrorist attack (the service does have a specialist mass decontamination unit for this purpose) or other major incidents such as flooding.

Major incidents of this type will typically tie up very large numbers of fire crews for extensive periods, sometimes weeks.

Mike Tully, Brigade Secretary for Gloucestershire FBU said “Frontline crews are being targeted for cuts which will directly impact on our ability to respond to 999 emergencies. The change to the way these vehicles are crewed will mean we cannot guarantee they will be immediately available when they are needed.

“These higher reach appliances are critical for public and firefighter safety. They are typically used for rescues above the height of a standard house and at major fires to provide an overview of the scene as well as firefighting.

“Those who praise our highly performing fire service in public now want to savage it behind closed doors by cutting nearly one in eight full-time frontline posts. The County Council has not been upfront with the public about this, these are cuts by stealth.

Tam McFarlane South West FBU executive council member said “This is a smoke and mirrors approach to public consultation designed to conceal major cuts. There is no openness and transparency about what they are planning.

“These plans will decimate the workforce whilst they are taking on more responsibility, work and functions. Frontline fire crews are paying the price for austerity they didn’t cause and the public will suffer as a result of these cuts.”

***ENDS***

Media contact

Mike Tully Brigade Secretary Gloucestershire 07855478168

Tam McFarlane 07813 170279

Part-Time Workers Settlement – Update 20 January 2012

CIRCULAR 2012HOCOO43AD
20 January 2012
TO:  ALL MEMBERS

Dear Brother / Sister

Further to my previous circular 2012HOC0015AD dated 11 January 2012, this circular provides a clarification on the current state of play.

There are several thousand FBU members who will be receiving a claim.  We still appear to be on course to send these letters containing details of the individual offer of settlement on 26 January 2012.

There is however a group of 1900 members who we have written to separately at their last known address.

You may be one of those 1900 members, or you may have spoken to one of them.

You/they have received a letter, with a form, which needs to be completed as soon as possible.  If you haven’t received a letter, that is because you are one of the majority of members who have been recognised by fire authorities within their data files.  It does not mean that you have been forgotten.  A number of members have contacted Popularis and/or the FBU.  As you will see from the above, this is not necessary.  This is a glitch which can be remedied once we receive the completed form from those members.  Further circulars will be issued by Head Office in due course, when the dispatch of offer letters for the majority is imminent.

Members should keep an eye out for letters which have (or will be) sent to your last known home address; the FBU notice board in your workplace and of course, the FBU website.

Best wishes.

Yours fraternally

ANDY DARK
Assistant General Secretary
AD/jh

Hands Off Our Pension Campaign: Further Discussions on Normal Pension Age

CIRCULAR 2012HOC0042MW
20 January 2012
TO:       ALL MEMBERS

Dear Brother/Sister

As you are aware, the current discussion on pensions cover a range of issues including contributions rates, pension age, pension scheme design, protection arrangements etc. We continue to challenge Government pension officials on each of these aspects with a view to protecting the pension rights of FBU members.

A key aspect of this debate has been around the proposals for Normal Pension Age (NPA) in the post-2015 pension scheme. This debate is also of crucial importance to members of the New Firefighters Pension Scheme (NFPS) who already have a higher NPA of 60.

The FBU has argued throughout the discussion that the NPS of 60 is unworkable for the proposed 2015 scheme and is unworkable for the NFPS. We have argued since 2006 that the NPA for the NFPS must be reduced. The issue of NPA is also crucial to discussions around the cost and design of any pension scheme since these must take proper account of when members would be likely to retire and take their pension.

As you are aware we have presented considerable evidence to support our stance on this issue. This evidence is all available through the FBU website. Throughout the discussions no other party has been able to challenge the evidence presented by the FBU.

Employers call for a review

Following a recent discussion on this issue, the matter has been further considered by the Local Government Association (LGA) – representing English Fire Service employers only. As a result of this, the LGA have written to Government pension officials seeking a full review of the issue of Normal Pension Age. This is a clear acknowledgement of the fact that no evidence exists to support the Government case.

The same matter was subsequently raised at a meeting of the Firefighters’ Pensions Committee this week and received further support, including from CFOA. This is the first time Fire Service employers or CFOA have commented on this issue and it is welcome that they have done so, albeit late in the day.

We are aware that CLG officials will now be considering this matter of a review and we will report any further developments. The Executive Council also meets next week to consider this and all other matters relating to the latest pension discussions.  We also expect that a statement on Fire Service pensions may be made to Parliament (Westminster) on Monday and we will monitor that closely.

We will attempt to keep members fully informed but you should be aware that as outlined above on the issue of NPA, the situation may change rapidly as discussions develop.

Best wishes.

Yours fraternally

MATT WRACK
GENERAL SECRETARY
MW/sll

Merseyside Fire Crews Warn Delaying Response to Automatic Fire Alarms Will Leave 290 Fires a Year to Spread

MEDIA RELEASE

Merseyside fire crews say plans to delay sending fire crews to attend automatic fire alarms in business and commercial premises will leave 290 fires to spread every year. The Fire Brigades Union say the plans are a cut too far and threaten businesses and jobs.

Merseyside fire authority meet tomorrow (19 January) to consider a new policy of not sending fire engines to automatic fire alarms at business and commercial premises. Instead they will wait for someone to confirm there is a fire before sending any fire engines.

The authority says fire crews were sent to over 5,800 automatic alarms on business and commercial premises last year, but 95% were false alarms. But the FBU point out that if the plan is adopted, the fire service will be delaying a response to 290 actual fires at business and commercial premises.

Les Skarratts, FBU Merseyside brigade secretary said: “Most of these are false alarms, but last year alone 290 of them were real fires. Businesses pay rates precisely for this sort of service and they deserve to have it delivered. The old firefighters adage remains true, we don’t go to false alarms, we only come back from them.

“No one ever knowingly attends a false alarm but automatic alarms do need checking out by fire crews trained to do it.

Not all fires are obvious, which is why we have specialist heat-detecting equipment to help identify hard to detect fires.

“The whole point of persuading businesses to fit automatic alarms is so we are alerted early and can start tackling a fire at its early stages. Any delay means committing fire crews into much more developed fires and that is more dangerous.

“This policy will mean that every year there will be 290 fires where an automatic alarm goes off – nearly six a week – which will not get a response until the fire is reported by someone who spots it. That will mean greater risk to the building and far greater fire damage.

“Many small and medium size businesses never recover from fires. If we don’t lose lives we will certainly lose livelihoods and see businesses, workplaces and jobs going up in smoke. This policy would be a cut too far.”

***ENDS***

Contact:

Les Skarratts – 07834656088

Mark Rowe – 07834656090

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