Dear Brother/Sister
Where we are
Last week Executive Council Members discussed the current position around pensions in great detail. The Executive Council has outlined over the past year that various strands of discussion on pension would come to a conclusion in early 2013. These include:
- Decisions on Year 2 employee contribution increases.
- Decisions in relation to the Review of Normal Pension Age.
That stage has now been reached and we now await crucial decisions from Central Government which will affect our pensions for the future.
The Union has presented a huge amount of evidence in this process. You can be confident that we have presented the best possible evidence-based case for defending good quality occupational pensions for the Fire and Rescue Service. The issue now is whether Central Government will take proper account of the evidence before it. The Executive Council is clear that at no stage has a viable argument been presented to challenge the evidence and argument presented by the FBU. You have already been provided with much of this evidence and argument. More detail will follow over the next few weeks. A huge amount of this detail and evidence is available through the FBU website.
What happens next?
We are currently awaiting Central Government decisions on the issues of Normal Pension Age and on employee contributions. We have presented significant evidence on both and we continue to argue strongly that the Government needs to take full account of this evidence.
We do not precisely know when these decisions will be made. The decision in relation to contributions is likely be made before the end of March and the Government response to the review of pension age is under consideration by Ministers.
In Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland the Devolved Governments have powers to adopt a different approach. However, we expect that the approach adopted by Westminster will be followed by all parts of the UK. This therefore remains a UK-wide campaign on behalf of all members.
What do we need to do?
The Executive Council decided to initiate a rapid period of consultation meetings with FBU members through open Brigade and Regional meetings. Your Brigade and Regional Officials will be making these arrangements. Please look out for details of meetings. Please ensure you attend your Branch meeting and other local briefings.
In addition to these meetings the Executive Council recognised that we need to maximise our political influence and that members should be encouraged to lobby their MPs. Brigade Committees have been asked to coordinate local lobbying of MPs. Please assist by lobbying your MP and other local politicians.
Briefing notes will be provided and additional support is available to assist members in this process.
The arguments we have are simple and effective. They are supported by detailed and well researched professional evidence. MPs will not necessarily understand the implications of the proposals without explanation. A well organised visit to an MP by local Firefighters can have a significant impact on the process over coming weeks.
The FBU nationally has already written to all MPs and given them our briefing (which was also sent to all FBU members at home). Several have already responded asking that local Firefighters visit them in their surgeries and speak to them. It is vital that this is followed up.
Your Brigade Secretary and Regional Secretary will have more details and will be able to provide further assistance if required.
The battle to defend our pension has been a long struggle so far and crucial decisions are fast approaching. It is vital that all members play a role in this stage of the campaign.
Please make sure that you:
- Attend local meetings and briefings.
- Attend your Branch meeting.
- Lobby your local MP
Please ensure that you keep abreast of developments over the next few weeks. All circulars and information will be posted on the FBU website.
Step up the campaign to defend our pension rights.
Best wishes.
Yours fraternally
Matt Wrack
General Secretary
2013HOC0108MW
