Archive for This forum is for serving or retired firefighters from the LFB. This is the place to have a moan, have a laugh and maybe even get some proper answers to some time honoured and new questions
This is being sent around by the union, its from the three fire fighter that had their ill health pension stopped by the brigade.
Sent on behalf of former firefighters Martin Marrion, Andy Scott and Neil Burke
To all London FBU members
We would like to take this opportunity to convey our heartfelt thanks and appreciation for the wonderful support we received from you throughout the recent campaign to reinstate our terminated pension payments. The last six months have been a very unpleasant and traumatic period for us and our families.
Having been retired by the London Fire Brigade on medical grounds, we were stunned last year to be suddenly told that out pension payments would be cut off in light of new guidance that had been issued by central government.
This situation came about through no fault of our own, and caused many sleepless nights. We all wondered how it could be that, having contributed many thousands of pounds over many years into our pension funds, our own money could be snatched away from us so casually. After over 60 years of combined and dedicated service to the
London Fire Brigade, we were left without a job and without any money.
Immediately a campaign began – organised and led by the Fire Brigades Union – to reverse the decision to stop our pension payments.
We are glad to report that our payments have now been reinstated, after the government backed down. It is important to point out, though, that this only occurred because of a legal technicality, in that we had not been given notice in advance of our pension appeal hearings that our payments might be stopped, and the decision, therefore, breached natural justice.
The battle is not yet over for us. We are still the named parties in the main judicial review due to be heard in March. If the court case is lost, not only will we be back to square one, but ill-health pensions as we know them will be finished.
It is extremely important to point out that the government’s new guidance currently remains in place and will, if left unchallenged, ensure that thousands of firefighters in the future will suffer the same fate as us. This is why the campaign must continue if we are to ensure justice for all firefighters throughout the UK.
The countless messages of support we received from you, our former colleagues, gave us much heart during a tremendously difficult time. Your solidarity will not be forgotten. We also pay tribute to the Fire Brigades Union, without whom there would have been no campaign. The support we received from the FBU and its solicitors, Thompson's, was exemplary and brought home to us the importance of being part of a strong union that
fights for its members. We urge you to do everything you can to support the union in its continuing struggle to ensure pensions justice for today’s firefighters.
