LOBBY IN SUPPORT OF WATCH MANAGERS

Blaze Bear · LOBBY IN SUPPORT OF WATCH MANAGERS

Today’s lobby of the negotiations over watch managers’ pay – which was arranged at the eleventh hour – was successful. A good number of watch managers were present, plus a number of “other ranks”.

Watch managers covered by pay protection arrangements under the 2003 pay agreement stand to lose up to £2,500 a year as a result of the change from rank to role. Under the terms of a national agreement reached earlier this year, LFEPA has the authority to prevent this. Until today, little progress had been made in the way of negotiations.

However, FBU officials and authority managers today agreed a series of meetings to take place between now and 22 August in an attempt to resolve the matter, beginning with a meeting on 16 July. The FBU will commit fully to this process and will do its best to ensure that the issue is settled peacefully. However, the union made clear to managers that, in the event negotiations do not prove fruitful, it will seek to conduct a ballot of all members in London for industrial action.

The local media covered today’s talks extensively. There was coverage on London Tonight, and the report on this evening’s BBC London News was favourable. The latter report can be found by clicking on the link below and then scrolling down to “LATEST BBC LONDON NEWS”. We are the third item. Be aware that the link will only be available until Monday.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/london/content/articles/2005/06/03/tvnews.shtml

A series of branch meetings to discuss this issue will commence shortly in the region.

Yours in unity

Paul Embery

Regional Official

London Region FBU

Straight8

All I see on almost a daily basis is Station Officers on pre-arranged overtime.

If 'their' dispute with LFB management is so serious, why are they in creaming the voluntary O.T on almost a weekly basis to assist the brigades shortfall in the establishment?

:?

BlazingPalace

Straight8

Suffice to say, your 'voice' who was interviewed on the BBC on the day of the meeting creams the Pre-Arranged like it's going out of fashion. We have three Station Officers who have been in the rank long before rank to role came in, all of them are in on O.T on a regular basis. (The interviewee being the biggest user)

Needless to say, it's the talking point amoungst the troop's, and I suspect will influence their vote if it comes to it.

Sad, but true.

Like yourself, I don't do it, I would love to earn £230 for a night in bed, but I'll stick to my outside employment if I need more, and that's not me being hollier than though, it's what was installed into me when I joined.

BlazingPalace

Blaze Bear

This message is from the Commissioner

Update on Watch Manager B protected pay arrangements

Discussions between the Brigade and the FBU are still ongoing and have been both constructive and wide-ranging. Both parties are committed to aiming to achieve a satisfactory solution within the agreed timetable, but equally recognise that given the complexity of the issues, it is likely that the whole of the negotiating period will be needed.

Both sides have now gone away to do further work and have agreed to meet again on 15 August.

I have also met with many of the affected staff to listen to their individual views on the issue.

Ron Dobson

Commissioner

BlazingPalace

I attended the meeting on Tuesday between Ron Dobson and those Watch Managers affected by this situation.

Several things came out of this meeting.

Firstly as a group of employees we feel totally devalued, de-motivated and demoralised. We have seen over a number of years the rank of Station Officer reduced in status, the proposed pay alignment with “New” Watch Manger B’s is the final straw for many.

Ron Dobson kept highlighting the point that the National Agreement which we all accepted was the reason for this situation and there was not a lot he could do about it.
Well London Rejected the National Pay Agreement, so do not keep telling us its our fault we are in this situation!
If I remember correctly every branch of the London region rejected this offer.

Ron continued with the mantra about equal pay and possible legal action ( we all remember this argument being used for Long Service Pay) and we now all know that it is correct and legal to pay people more money for doing the same job longer.

The union appearing to do nothing about this issue, so I am using my own money to seek advice from a firm of solicitors with an employment law back ground.
I know of many situations from friends, about people doing the same job being paid different rates of money based on “Old” pay scales and awards etc, these jobs range from Teachers, Nurses, Police Officers and even a Bus Driver.

I am not asking anyone to feel sorry for me, just to be aware that some people within this organisation are taking a pay cut, and when it’s your turn you to will want people to hear your voice and support you.

Blaze Bear

Maybe other people involved could help out with the money it costs you, why can't you go to Thompson's and get free advice

BlazingPalace

As I see it the union can hardly take a legal route over this as they are the ones that recommended that we accept this deal. I am still looking at all avenues and when I have a clear path will decide if Thompsons may or will be of help.