THE Fire Brigades Union has accused Surrey Fire and Rescue Service of deliberately "generating confusion" amongst the county's firefighters in the on-going dispute over pensions and retirement age.
The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) recently balloted members nationally over revisions to pensions and the expectation that firefighters will work into their late 50s.
The FBU says Surrey's chief fire officer Russell Pearson has written to all staff stating that the fire authority has said it will deduct a whole shift's pay irrespective of a strike's duration – despite the fact that national guidance states that authorities should only deduct a proportion of pay according to the proportion of the working week spent on strike.
They say he also outlined that the authority has said that employees on strike will not be permitted to use property belonging to the fire and rescue service, which they say has led to confusion among firefighters around arrangements in the event of a major incident.
FBU Executive Council member, Jim Parrot, said: "It seems like the information issued by the fire authority is aimed at generating confusion and dissuading employees from taking part in a legitimate trade dispute.
"At a time when the negotiations surrounding this legitimate national trade dispute are at a very sensitive stage – and with the FBU working tirelessly behind the scenes to resolve the issues – the fire authority in Surrey seem intent on localising the dispute.
"Elsewhere in the country fire authorities have displayed a far more conciliatory approach, working with officials to find the best way forward for everyone.
"The fire authority has been clear that it expects the Fire Brigade Union's assistance and goodwill during this dispute – all we ask is for the fire authority to do the same."
