Dear Brother/Sister
Members will be aware that we wrote to the Fire Minister on 29 May 2012 following his ministerial statement and the release of the Government's proposed "final agreement" for firefighter pensions.
Our letter, which was circulated to all members as circular 2012HOC0283AD, reiterated our disappointment with the timing of the document and that we felt it was unhelpful, unnecessary and potentially inflammatory. The Union has not and does not accept this as any sort of final position on the issue of pensions.
Our letter outlined that the most significant problems are still the proposed contribution increases and the Normal Pension Age (NPA). We explained that there are also other issues of concern such as accrual rates, revaluation rates and commutation factors and that we feel that the logical position is to pursue a workable NPA as a priority. Other issues are largely dependent on a scheme being affordable and having a workable and realistic NPA.
We stressed that we remain fundamentally opposed to the proposed employee contribution increase and the proposal for a Normal Pension Age of 60 for firefighters.
We outlined that the two reviews might be a mechanism for addressing these concerns but that by presenting a document at this juncture, which proposes the final position before the reviews have reported, the Minister had raised further concern around their value and status.
The Fire Minister responded on 31 May (letter attached) outlining that the Government's previous commitment to the two reviews (on opt-outs and on Normal Pension Age) had not in any way diminished. The letter reaffirmed the Government's intention to conduct these reviews with input from trade unions and employers. In the last paragraph of the letter the Fire Minister confirms that the reviews will be concluded and all the associated evidence will be carefully considered before any final decision is made.
Although we now have the attached written assurances around the reviews and any final decisions, FBU members will recognise that the reviews only present a mechanism for influencing the Government's proposals and that the Executive Council statement to Conference recognises the need for a constant monitoring of any developments, including if necessary preparing for strike action.
Best wishes.
Yours fraternally
Matt Wrack
General Secretary
Read Letter
2012HOC0341MW
Circular ref
2012HOC0341MW
