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26/08/2004
Final agreement reached on firefighters' deal
Agreement has finally been reached between unions and employers that will avert the threat of further strike action by firefighters next month.
Employers' representatives and the Fire Brigades Union had been locked in crisis talks over issues including the treatment of public holidays.
However, the agreement reached today will see public holiday arrangements remain unchanged - double time and a day-off in-lieu for firefighters rostered to work.
The deal will see the second stage of the pay agreement reached in August this year, a 3.5% pay rise will be backdated to November 2003, and the third stage of 4.2% will be backdated to July.
The talks, brokered by the General Secretary of the TUC Brendan Barber, witnessed the eventual breakthrough on outstanding issues that had deadlocked final agreement by both sides on Stages 2 and 3 of the pay deal.
On August 2, provisional agreement based on the ACAS Code of Practice was reached on grievance and discipline procedures, today's breakthrough was on arrangements relating to night shift stand down and working on public holidays.
In the letter to FBU members Assistant General Secretary Mike Fordham said that "a negotiated end to this long-running dispute would not have been possible without the members of the Union showing their determination in the face of a determined attempt to wreck the agreement".
Commenting on today’s resolution of the fire dispute Brendan Barber said: "I am delighted that a negotiated settlement has finally been achieved to bring this long running chapter to a close.
"The task now for all sides will be to put the tensions of the dispute behind them so that everyone involved in the fire and rescue service can concentrate on what they do best - delivering a first class service to the British people."
Failure to reach agreement would have seen further strikes staged in September and October by Britain's 52,000 firefighters.
(SP)
Employers' representatives and the Fire Brigades Union had been locked in crisis talks over issues including the treatment of public holidays.
However, the agreement reached today will see public holiday arrangements remain unchanged - double time and a day-off in-lieu for firefighters rostered to work.
The deal will see the second stage of the pay agreement reached in August this year, a 3.5% pay rise will be backdated to November 2003, and the third stage of 4.2% will be backdated to July.
The talks, brokered by the General Secretary of the TUC Brendan Barber, witnessed the eventual breakthrough on outstanding issues that had deadlocked final agreement by both sides on Stages 2 and 3 of the pay deal.
On August 2, provisional agreement based on the ACAS Code of Practice was reached on grievance and discipline procedures, today's breakthrough was on arrangements relating to night shift stand down and working on public holidays.
In the letter to FBU members Assistant General Secretary Mike Fordham said that "a negotiated end to this long-running dispute would not have been possible without the members of the Union showing their determination in the face of a determined attempt to wreck the agreement".
Commenting on today’s resolution of the fire dispute Brendan Barber said: "I am delighted that a negotiated settlement has finally been achieved to bring this long running chapter to a close.
"The task now for all sides will be to put the tensions of the dispute behind them so that everyone involved in the fire and rescue service can concentrate on what they do best - delivering a first class service to the British people."
Failure to reach agreement would have seen further strikes staged in September and October by Britain's 52,000 firefighters.
(SP)
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
