07 November 2003
Employers accused the Fire Brigades Union of trying to rewrite their summer agreement on pay and conditions after a new dispute blew up this week over a November wage increase.
The FBU responded with the charge of 'political vindictiveness' after employers confirmed that they would be paying a 7% pay rise in two stages, 3.5% now and a further 3.5% in the new year, as conditions of the deal have not yet been met.
Firefighters nationwide implemented an unofficial work-to-rule, answering emergency calls only, but the extent of the action is unclear.
The two sides were due to hold further talks as Public Finance went to press. Any prolonged dispute will hold up the government's tightly timetabled modernisation programme and further pay increases.
Employers said they made it clear in September that the rise may not be paid in full as it was subject to agreeing changes, such as lifting an overtime ban, and the Audit Commission verifying that these were being implemented.
The Local Government Association accused the union of not passing on this information to its members.
'We are asking for demonstrable progress and moving forward will take time,' Sir Jeremy Beecham, LGA chair told PF. 'The FBU has known this all along and I'm very surprised at this late stage that there should be any doubt.
'There appears to be an attempt to rewrite the agreement. It would be helpful if they recognised that we are putting money on the table that we are not obliged to.'
But Andy Gilchrist, FBU general secretary, said the agreement was always seen as 'aspirational, and very few people thought it would be met'.
He added that even the Audit Commission recognised that they were going in the 'right direction of travel', and employers should morally and ethically meet the increase in full. 'Morale is now at an all time low and people are very angry.'
But, in a further twist, the Audit Commission said it was always the intention that verification work wouldn't begin until January, with the final report due in March.
This immediately casts doubt on the timetable of the June deal. 'It has always been recognised that the commission would not be making a recommendation as to whether the pay award should be made,' the statement added.
The FBU executive was also due to meet this week. It could face calls for a ballot on industrial action if employers grant 3.5% this month.
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