The Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service has increased pay for 380 on-call firefighters, backdated to 1 April 2019.
The pay rise was initially proposed by the Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service senior management board, supported by the Hereford and Worcester Fire Authority, in recognition of the fact that a decrease in operational incidents over the past few years has led to a real-terms reduction in potential wages for on-call staff.
As a result, the senior management board has decided to increase the annual retaining fee for on-call firefighters, over and above the nationally agreed terms and conditions of service; these were set in the National Joint Council settlement on 1 July 2018.
On-call firefighters contracted to work between 80 and 120 hours a week will receive a pay rise of 20%. Those employed on contracts to work between 40 and 50 hours a week will gain a 5% pay increase.
The pay deal has been agreed with the Fire Brigades Union, Fire Officers Association and the Fire and Rescue Services Association.
Guy Palmer, area commander at the Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service, said: “I would like to take the opportunity to thank all involved for their support and work to date in facilitating this increase. The Authority, [senior management board] and unions are fully supportive and recognise the value and commitment shown by on-call staff with [the Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service].
“It is increasingly difficult to recruit new entrants and we hope that this increase in the on-call retaining fee will assist the recruitment process.”