National General Secretary Designate
The RFU’s National Executive meeting on 4th November endorsed the selection of John Barton to succeed Derek Chadbon who will be retiring at the end of June 2007. Congratulations to John – does he know what he is taking on?

Access to the Fire Service National Benevolent Fund
The RFU has had discussions with representatives of the Benevolent Fund about access to the Fund’s services by RDS personnel. In the past it has not always been easy for RDS to access the Fund, and sometimes personnel have not been aware of the range of services available to them.

All fire and rescue service staff, and especially the retained, who raise a lot of money for the Fund need to be aware of the fantastic services that are available in respect of:

Details are available on the Fund’s website www.fsnbf.org.uk or by telephoning the Fund’s Therapy and Recuperation line on 0870 2406543. between 0900 to 1900, Monday to Friday. You can access the Fund direct and confidentially.

The Fund also has a Helpline on 0800 3898820 (0900 to 1700) for free confidential advice for serving and retired members on state benefits, social care, finance and debt issues, housing, relationship and family issues and employment.

Pensions 1
We are advised the “Options Exercise” under which your fire authority will inform you of your rights to join the New Firefighters Pension Scheme (NFPS) will take place between 1st January and 31st March 2007. You should receive full information from your fire authority early in the New Year.

The RFU has arranged for independent financial advice to be available to our members, to help and assist with your retirement planning options. Further details will be issued shortly – look out for information on how you can be helped during the forthcoming Options Exercise.

In the meantime, why not look at the comprehensive financial services available to members on our website www.rfuonline.co.uk under “RFU Money”. This includes information on how you can save thousands on your mortgage, finding you the best credit cards and loans, which may be especially useful during the Christmas period.

Click on RFU Money on our website for lots of information on financial planning and services.

To use RFU Money and the exclusive financial services of Moneyextra, you will need to be an RFU Member. If you are not a member, you can join by contacting your local RFU Rep or by calling or emailing us on 01953 455005 or Office.

Rank to Role Survey
The RFU has made representations at local and national level on the outcomes of R2R, which have been unsatisfactory in many fire and rescue services. Although we were not involved in negotiating these new arrangements, we have been asked by the National Employers to provide information on the outcomes.

Enclosed with this Newsletter is a short survey form that is designed to be completed by RDS officers in charge, whether members of the RFU or not. This is your chance to have your say on an issue that has caused considerable challenges for many RDS OIC’s.

Pensions 2 – information for Members who have Retired on an Injury Pension
Changes to the current pension scheme, which affect those already retired, now place a limit of 10 years on the review of an injury pension from the date of payment. This means that any worsening of the disability will not provide for an increase in the injury pension after 10 years.

Any retired member, who has been on pension for less than 10 years, and who thinks their condition has substantially worsened, and wants a review, is recommended to contact RFU HQ as soon as possible.

Minister Urges Progress on Retained
Angela Smith, who took over as Fire Services Minister in May, has made several keynote speeches recently calling upon the Fire and Rescue Service to make more progress on resolving the challenge of recruiting and retaining RDS personnel. In a speech to the Fire 2006 Conference in Telford, she said there was a need for more impetus from senior managers and elected members – we agree with that.

At a seminar in London on Contingency Planning for Safer Communities she urged fire authorities to work more closely with the RFU and to make the most of the contribution of our members. She also urged fire authorities and the national employers to resolve the outstanding issue over reform of the NJC.

Meeting with National Employers
At a meeting with representatives from the National Employers on 4th December 2006, the following issues were discussed:

i) Continual Professional Development (CPD) Payment.

The June 2003 pay agreement provided for the Long Service Increment (LSI) paid to wholetime personnel with over 15 years service to be phased out and the money saved to be used for CPD payments to reward additional efforts by any staff, including RDS personnel, which contributed to their development and brought benefits to local communities.

This agreement (with the FBU) is currently stalled and the RFU reminded the National Employers that we have outstanding employment applications for parity of treatment on LSI. It was agreed to meet after 15th December, when there may be some decisions on a way forward.

ii) Pay 2007

The current three-year pay deal is due for renegotiation from 1/7/07 and the RFU gave notice that we would be seeking the agreement of the National Employers to redress the negative effect of the previous pay deal on the earnings of many RDS personnel, and the damaging effects of the Rank to Role implementation, especially on RDS Officers in Charge.

The RFU has been invited to submit its views to the National Employers

iii) Reform of Industrial Relations

The National Employers gave an update on the reform of the NJC. The RFU expressed concerns about the further delay and continuation of strikes and the widespread dissatisfaction with industrial relations in the fire and rescue service.

Despite the many challenges still facing RDS personnel, we hope that you and your families have a great Christmas and New Year.

Download Rank to Role Survey.