Retained Firefighters: Pension Settlement Update
CIRCULAR: 2010HOC0317MW 07 May 2010 TO: ALL RETAINED BRANCHES Cc: Brigade Secretaries Dear Brother/Sister, RETAINED FIREFIGHTERS: PENSION SETTLEMENT UPDATE FBU officials and representatives of Thompsons Solicitors have been in negotiations with representatives of the Department of Communities and Local Government (CLG) trying to reach a negotiated settlement that could be recommended to members as a settlement to the issue of firefighters working the Retained Duty System gaining access to the Firefighters’ Pension Scheme. A report was given to the Executive Council at their meeting held on 21st and 22nd April 2010 and a full discussion took place on the negotiations to date. Regular reports have been given to the Executive Council and further meetings have…
FiReControl and recent Government Announcements
CIRCULAR: 2010HOC0348AD 26 May 2010 TO: ALL MEMBERS Dear Brother/Sister, FIRECONTROL AND RECENT GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCEMENTS Members will be aware of various reports issued by government departments at Westminster, which refer to the government’s consideration of the FiReControl Project and regionalisation more generally. Similarly, a number of members and officials have received what appears to be, positive assurances from their Member of Parliament. Whilst we all hope that common sense will prevail, at this time no definite decision has been made whether to proceed with the project as it stands; to delay the current project; to modify the project progress with an alternative; or of course, to cease the project entirely and to maintain the current…
Regionalisation of Emergency Fire Controls – Letter to Prime Minister David Cameron
CIRCULAR: 2010HOC0336MW 14 May 2010 TO: ALL MEMBERS Dear Brother / Sister REGIONALISATION OF EMERGENCY FIRE CONTROLS – LETTER TO PRIME MINISTER Members will be aware from our long running lobbying and campaigning that the Conservative and Liberal Democrat parties have both expressed very clear opposition to the Regionalisation of Fire Controls in England. The two parties now form the new Government. Attached is a letter to the Prime Minister seeking a commitment from the Government to honour the pledges made on this issue prior to the election; the text of the letter also appears below. Yours fraternally MATT WRACK GENERAL SECRETARY Download the letter to the Prime Minister as a PDF Text of letter…
Pay Claim 2010
CIRCULAR: 2010HOC0316MW 05 May 2010 TO: ALL MEMBERS Dear Brother / Sister PAY CLAIM 2010 Members will be aware that the Union’s position on pay has been to seek a long-term formula such as existed prior to 2002. This would avoid the potential of difficulties arising in relation to annual pay bargaining and would provide the stability which we think is necessary for delivering a first-class Fire and Rescue Service. Regrettably the Fire and Rescue Service Employers have consistently rejected such an approach. The Executive Council has given consideration to the issue of pay for 2010. This has included consultation with Brigade, Regional and Sectional Committees. Following this discussion it was agreed to submit a…
Thanks for re-election and an appeal for unity
CIRCULAR: 2010HOC0303MW 28 April 2010 TO: ALL MEMBERS Dear Brother / Sister THANKS FOR RE-ELECTION AND AN APPEAL FOR UNITY I would like to express my thanks at being re-elected as General Secretary. It has been a huge honour to hold this position for the past five years. Having stood for re-election on my record, I am extremely pleased and proud that members have given me a mandate to serve for a second term. I wish to particularly thank the wide layer of officials and activists throughout the Union who campaigned on my behalf. The future of our Service The past five years have been among the most difficult ever faced by our Union. Under…
Funeral arrangements for Hampshire Firefighters: Alan Bannon and James Shears
At the request of the families, the funerals of Alan Bannon and James Shears will now be private events for close colleagues and family members. This is a change to the previously published arrangements.
Funeral Services for Alan Bannon and James Shears
N.B. In a change to previously published details, at the request of the families, the funerals of Alan Bannon and James Shears will now be private events for close colleagues and family members. CIRCULAR: 2010HOC0274MW 20 April 2010 TO: ALL MEMBERS Dear Brother / Sister FUNERAL SERVICES FOR ALAN BANNON AND JAMES SHEARS Following the tragic deaths in Southampton recently of Alan Bannon and James Shears I can now confirm that funeral services have now been arranged as follows: Alan Bannon’s funeral service will take place at St. Mary’s Church in St. Mary’s Street, Southampton, Hampshire, on Tuesday, 27 April at 2pm. The funeral will be followed by a private committal service. James Shears’ funeral…
Election of General Secretary
CIRCULAR: 2010HOC0291AD 23 April 2010 TO: ALL MEMBERS Dear Brother / Sister ELECTION OF GENERAL SECRETARY In the election for General Secretary, the Scrutineers have declared the result of the ballot as follows: Election of General Secretary Our independent scrutineer’s (Popularis) report of voting in the above election, which closed at 2pm on Friday 23rd April, is as follows:- Number of ballot papers dispatched: 42,376 Number of ballot papers received: 10,039 Number of papers found to be spoilt/invalid: 31 Result (1 to elect):- Matt WRACK………………….. 6,088 ELECTED John McGHEE ……………….. 3,920 The ballot papers will be stored securely for a period of twelve months before being destroyed. I am therefore pleased to declare that Brother…
Fire Brigades Union starts process of investigating Southampton tragedy
Following the tragic deaths of brothers James Shears and Alan Bannon. FBU Regional Secretary Ricky Matthews said “The Union’s main aim in this process is to uncover the causes so as to prevent reoccurrence of a similar tragedy, and enable the families to understand the events that led to this terrible loss. “The union has begun to draw a team together to assist with tour investigation. This includes drawing in the support of experienced officials from other Fire Brigade Union Regions. FBU local officials will be involved and all members are asked to cooperate in what will be an extremely difficult process. “A meeting has taken place this morning between senior FBU officials and the…
Death of Members – Hampshire
CIRCULAR: 2010HOC0213MW 7 April 2010 TO: ALL MEMBERS Dear Brother/Sister It is with great sadness that I write to notify you of the death of Alan Bannon (age 38) and James Shears (age 35) two members from Hampshire who died tragically on 6 April while attending an incident in a high rise block of flats in Southampton. Obviously our thoughts and prayers are with the families, friends and colleagues of both Alan and James at this extremely tragic and difficult time. Two other members sustained burns to their hands at the incident and our best wishes go to both of them for a speedy recovery. I further ask that you think of the others who…
