Grey book rates of pay

Conference condemns the prolonged and sustained financial attacks from successive governments on the UK Fire and Rescue Services. Chief Fire Officers and Fire Authorities consistently ‘fall into line’ with the budgetary settlements being forced on them by the current Westminster Government without any attempt to fight back.

These ‘cuts’ are regularly being made to frontline firefighter posts through the changing of duty systems. A reluctance to recruit has led to many Fire and Rescue Services reducing their establishment levels through retirements.

To compensate for these reductions in staffing levels, Chief Fire Officers are now introducing policies to cover shortfalls in crewing through the use of firefighters working in excess of their Grey Book contractual hours for flat rate pay.

Conference calls upon all Members at all levels of the Fire Brigades Union to refuse to work additional hours for rates of pay that are not in accordance with the Grey Book conditions of service.