Pensions latest: New Year Update

January 10, 2012

The latest information on the FBU’s campaign on firefighters pensions is contained in the circular: [014MW] Hands Off our Pensions: New Year Update.

FBU response to LGPS consultation
FBU pensions submissions and reports

Merseyside fire crews warn delaying response to automatic fire alarms will leave 290 fires a year to spread

January 19, 2012

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. Continue reading →

Claims of bullying routinely ignored by London’s fire authority

January 17, 2012

Claims of sexist bullying and other inappropriate behaviour by senior politicians are being routinely ignored by the body responsible for upholding standards on the London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority (LFEPA), a Freedom of Information request has revealed.

The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) has learned that in the last three years, 18 complaints were submitted to the LFEPA standards committee about the conduct of members of the Authority. Continue reading →

Cumbria: fire union hits back over control room petition

January 16, 2012

The Fire Brigades Union have hit back at reports that a petition aimed at saving Cumbria’s 999 Fire Control room has failed. An online e-petition was intended to run along side a more traditional paper petition was submitted without the Unions knowledge to a council meeting last Thursday.

As the online petition had attracted less than 3000 signatures it fell short of the number required to trigger a full council debate. However, the FBU traditional petition has actually attracted over 20,000 signatures and this number is growing daily, more than enough to trigger a debate. Continue reading →

LGPS joint union bulletin

January 12, 2012

This joint union bulletin outlines the Heads of Agreement for the LGPS for England and Wales. Although the majority of other unions were supportive of the Heads of Agreement, the FBU took a different view for the following reasons. Continue reading →

Part-Time Workers Pay and Conditions Settlement: Update

January 12, 2012

The FBU has issued a new circular on the Part-Time Workers Pay and Conditions Settlement, [015AD]. Further information will be provided in due course.

Union green reps survey 2012 – take part now!

January 11, 2012

The Labour Research Department (LRD) is carrying out a new green reps survey for trade unions and the TUC. The FBU is supporting the survey and would like officials and members to complete the questionnaire as soon as possible.

You can complete this survey on LRD’s website.

The survey will provide a useful picture of progress on trade union action on environment/climate change.

Fire crews warn delaying response to automatic fire alarms will leave 170 fires a year to spread

January 5, 2012

Devon and Somerset fire crews warn that delaying sending fire crews to attend automatic fire alarms in business premises will leave 170 fires to spread every year. The Fire Brigades Union says this is gambling with lives, businesses and jobs and is a ‘cut too far’.

The fire authority have proposed to introduce a new policy of not sending fire engines to automatic fire alarms at business and commercial premises. Instead they will wait for someone to enter premises and confirm there is a fire before sending any fire engines. Continue reading →

Pensions: Latest Position: Cost Ceilings

January 2, 2012

There were a flurry of announcements on pensions at the end of last year. This circular [645MW] Firefighter Pensions: Latest Discussions as at 21 December, explains the latest position.

Unions to launch quick appeal against High Court ruling on pensions switch

December 2, 2011

Unions will challenge a High Court ruling that the government was entitled to switch the measure of inflation used to increase pensions. They will seek an ‘expedited’ appeal against a move they say will cut the value of pensions to millions of private and public sector pensioners.

While one of the three judges said the government’s decision to use the consumer price index (CPI) instead of the traditionally higher retail price index (RPI) was unlawful and should be quashed, the other two decided that the government was within its rights. Continue reading →