We here at FCCL will be supporting the
Fire Brigades Union Strike Tomorrow.
That's a bit of a "No Shit Sherlock" moment for most of our readers.
But it's because we don't want to see this happen
We wish everybody who is withdrawing their labour for four hours tomorrow the very best of ........
well we would say luck but we reckon the scab labour that is being brought in as
cover will need all of that.
Scab labour now that is not nice. Many are full time firefighters who do not agree with a strike that puts public safety at risk and then there are the temporary but dedicated community officers willing to take the same risks for half the money. It's lucky nothing big went wrong but if it had done I am not sure the public who seem split over the issue judging by the media comments would be very supportive of strikers. Its still a much much better pension than most people get
ReplyDelete"Half the money" ? It is about a pound an hour less than a fully qualified fire-fighter actually.
ReplyDeleteThat said it is a pension scheme where you can pay 93% of your contributions in (39 years out of 42) and get a 50% reduction because you are not fit enough to get to 60.
60 years is too old to be a front line fire-fighter. Think of the 60 year old men and women you know, would you want them coming to save you in a fire?
It is either accept that nonsense or strike because the government will not negotiate.
No one wants to strike, in this case there is no choice I'm afraid.
Well it seems that CROs coped while your friends in the FBU left the public without fire cover.
ReplyDeleteIn the US irs not uncommon to find active firefighters in their 60s even 70' like Billy Holder in Dallas. In Staffordshire Harry Roberts only retired at 65 and carried on in the Retained. Malcolm Styles in Surrey was certainly still working at 63. This means it is possible to work until 60 and beyond depending in how much effort is put in to staying fit. Everyone has to make a contribution to getting the country back on an even keel and that includes making savings on gold plated pensions where the tax payer is paying 3 times more than firefighters pay in so yes its not unreasonable to ask for more balance in this arrangement
ReplyDeleteThe country back on an even keel - why should public servants pay the price for greedy bankers. Who incidentally live in their low risk houses in leafy suburbs.
ReplyDeleteI don't know what the problem is. We already have firefighters who retire at 60 under the 2006 pension scheme. No one went on strike for them when they signed on the line. If its a change of conditions regarding final salary career average thats a different matter but you cant use the age matter as it's been in 7 years
ReplyDeleteThe union never let facts get in the way and the career average will not affect people who don't get promoted. Nor will there be loads of capability sackings for over 55s. When has anybody been sacked on capability grounds
ReplyDeleteSeems that the posters on here disagree with you Sarah
ReplyDeletewhere do you want me to start...
ReplyDeleteThe 2006 scheme was imposed on the FBU AND foa for that matter, it was never agreed and if you know what Thatcher did to the trade union movement then you would know that we were unable to take strike action over non members, it's illegal.
Tommy. You've obviously researched firefighters age in America, shame you never spent as much time researching the firefighters pension scheme, because if you had you would realise that currently a Ff pays in 13% of their wage where as the tax payer (by the way are FBU members tax payers too???) pays in less than 25% for FPS so that's less than 2 times
And finally when has anyone ever been sacked for capability....well if it wasn't for the FBU representing a member with the aid of Thompsons a Ff in West yorkshire was 24 hours away from being sacked in December 2012.
Why don't you ask Mark Dixon (head of occupational health)about it? Or ask the chief his view on wether he would sack a firefighter or not....
Think you will find firefighters are actually paying a lot less than 13% in REAL money terms which is because the true cost after tax relief on the contributions of up to 40% is a lot less. Their own contribution as taxpayers to the employer contribution is miniscule. Still a fact isnt it that no one ever has been sacked on capability grounds
ReplyDeleteThe problem compared to seven years ago is there are no longer jobs in Fire prevention or community fire service to move to if a fire fighter can no longer work on the front line.tthanks to cut backs by the people running this country who have ties to the financial sector that caused this mess. Meanwhile they get richer and you pick up the debt.
ReplyDeleteAs for the CRO 's etc who care so much about their communities , how much protesting have they done when cut backs and closures threaten the communities. Have they visited councillors or MP 's ? Or are they only interested when money is involved ?
Its funny reading all this talk about Ff not being able to do the job at 60 when its not far off occuring right now. We have ff serving at Normanton (wt) and other stations including RdS that are 55 and over, working hard to maintain their fitness to continue doing the job they love. Funny that the FBU still take their subs off them without ever asking their opinion on how they acheive this. I bet they would beg to differ that they cannot do their job. This character you talk about who was on the verge of being sacked did nothing to help himself for years and his health went down hill due to his life style choices, nothing to do with the brigade. And he used to brag about it. Dont want anyone to lose their job but that guy pushed the boundaries and he still got supported.
ReplyDelete