LGA Governance


Agenda item

Agenda item

Workforce paper

Minutes:

Cllr Nick Chard gave members an update on the NJC for Local Authority Fire and Rescue Services pay negotiations an reminded members that the 2 per cent offer had been rejected by the Fire Brigade Union (FBU) membership, despite approval having been recommended by its Executive Council. Gill Gittins, Principal Negotiating Officer, advised that the union’s leadership remained committed to negotiations to identify a mutually acceptable position. Progress was being made in terms of identifying what broadening the role of firefighters could look like and the NJC would jointly continue to lobby governments across the UK in respect of additional sustainable funding.

 

Members were aware that the National Employers had suggested that while negotiations continued the NJC could reach agreement to apply an uplift now of 1 per cent to basic pay and continual professional developments, backdated to 1 July 2017. A response was awaited, however reports of potential imposition of such a position in places at local level had that week led the FBU to consult its legal representatives and write formally to FRAs based on that advice. The employers’ secretariat had also written to FRAs and provided advice. Unfortunately that local issue was impacting negatively upon negotiations and it was hoped it would be resolved quickly in order to keep the focus on the aims of the negotiation overall.  

 

The following point was made:

 

·         A concern was raised about a possible typing error in paragraph 16 of the report where it said that an agreement could be reached ‘now to uplift pay across the board by 1.0 per cent’. Clarification was sought from the workforce team on this point. The reference to ‘now’ was in the context of while negotiations continue and refers simply to a point in time. It was not intended to suggest that would be the conclusion of negotiations for the pay settlement year 2017/18 which remained active.

 

Decision:

 

Members noted the workforce paper.  

Supporting documents: