Dear Brother/Sister
The National Joint Council (NJC) met yesterday (7 June) to discuss, among other issues, our outstanding pay claim. You will recall that this was for an increase in all NJC rates equal to the Retail Price Index (RPI) as available for June 2012. At the meeting, the Employers responded to our claim with the following statement:
The Employers' Side has considered your pay claim in the context of the financial challenges facing fire authorities, the economic pressures on our workforce, the Government's current public sector pay policy and the agenda for reform that we have discussed formally and informally with you over recent times.
The Employers' Side is minded to consider a pay offer this year taking into account the factors I have mentioned. We are interested in achieving some element of reform to conditions of service, with a view to agreeing to work jointly on a wider agenda of reform to address issues of concern and priority to both sides of the NJC.
In response to this, we expressed the anger and frustration of FBU members who would be expecting the issue of pay to be resolved before the settlement date of 1 July, especially at a time of such severe economic hardship for FBU members and their families.
This circular is merely to ensure members are informed of this latest development. The Executive Council meets next week where the Employers' statement and our response to it will be discussed in full.
Best wishes.
Yours fraternally
Matt Wrack
General Secretary
2012HOC0318MW
