FBU advises members to accept pay offer

The new offer from the Fire and Rescue Services National Employers (FRSNE) offers a 2.0% increase on basic pay and continual professional development payments backdated until 1 July 2017. There is also an agreement for the FBU and FRSNE to work together to agree a mutually acceptable deal in the longer term leading to further increases including stage two of 3% in 2018/19, 2019/20 and potentially 2020/21.

The FBU had indicated its intention to withdraw support for the emergency medical response trails but it has now instructed its members to continue to take part in the scheme. The consultation period for the pay offer will close on 13 September and the FBU executive committee will meet on that date to discuss the results. 

A circular to FBU members has encouraged them to support the deal, it said: “The executive council met and considered the employers’ letter, the strategic objectives agreed by conference of securing better pay for firefighters’ and the future of the fire service; the sincerity or otherwise of the employers, and a range of other issues which will be a key focus of this all members’ circular. 

“Having considered those matters, the decision of the Executive Council was that the trials should continue pending the outcome of a membership consultation on the pay offer, which will begin with immediate effect. The recommendation of the executive council would be to recommend acceptance of the offer.”