The FBU’s Executive Council has now received the proposals for fire service pensions. We are disappointed that the significant body of evidence presented by the Fire Brigades Union during these discussions appears to have been ignored.
We believe these proposals to be unacceptable in that they include:
* Unaffordable and unfair contribution rates.
* A totally unrealistic retirement age for firefighters.
* An unsustainable scheme for the fire service.
The Executive Council will now consult members through branches and our committee structure. The Executive Council recommends that there is a rapid move to prepare a strike ballot and that further discussion should finalise the details of this. The Executive Council will meet again in three weeks, after consulting members, to consider developments.
We remain committed to maintaining dialogue and hope that the government will now resolve the matter through properly engaging on the issues raised during discussions.
The proposals can be downloaded from the FBU’s website or from CLG’s website. The government also published a Written Ministerial Statement.
