The Retained Firefighters' Union (RFU) represents serving personnel within the Retained Duty System (RDS). The RFU was formed in 1976 and has gone from strength to strength ever since. We have one aim and that is to serve our members, manage their expectations, and provide national and local representation, general support and advice on any [...]
June 17, 2013
RDS personnel included in Queen’s birthday honours
It was pleasing to see the contribution from Fire Service personnel acknowledged and rewarded within the Queen's Birthday Honours list published on Saturday, our congratulations go out to: David King - Retained Firefighter in South Wales Fire and Rescue Service who was awarded the MBE for his charitable services and for services to the community in Porthcawl, Bridgend. Keith Stringer, Station [...]
June 12, 2013
Government response to 2011 pension scheme consultation
For your information, you will wish to note that the Department has now published the Government's response to the 2011 consultation on proposed changes to the Firefighters' Pension 1992 and New Firefighters' Pension 2006. The Government response can be accessed on the Departmental website at: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/firefighters-pension-scheme Ends
June 5, 2013
Pay rise of 1% agreed from 01 July 2013
The NJC has agreed an increase of 1% to basic pay and continual professional development payments with effect from 1 July 2013 for employees working the Retained Duty System (RDS). We will update our 'national pay scales' web page in due course.
May 31, 2013
PTWLFT settlement – Pensions
As we continue to receive enquiries relating to the 'pension' side of the Part-time workers less favourable treatment (PTWLFT) we thought it would be helpful to update members on the current situation. By now the vast majority of RDS staff (past and present) will have received their compensation payment for the 'terms and conditions' side [...]
May 24, 2013
Facing the Future: Sir Ken Knight Report into the Fire and Rescue Service
Sir Ken Knight’s report (here) was published on the 17th May and attracted huge media attention which resulted in a great deal of media interest of the RFU’s position. This involved radio and TV interviews with the national media. Firstly, as contributors to the work of the review team, we welcome specific comments by Sir [...]
May 20, 2013
Employers’ circular EMP/5/13
PART-TIME WORKERS (PREVENTION OF LESS FAVOURABLE TREATMENT) REGULATIONS – RETAINED FIREFIGHTERS UNION SETTLEMENT The employers' side of the NJC have issued a circular relating to whether or not the above settlement agreement should apply to wholetime employees who were employed on the retained duty system during the reference period (1 July 2000 to 30 June 2010). A copy of [...]
May 17, 2013
Facing the Future: Sir Ken Knight report into the Fire Service
We are now in the process of examining the contents of the report which was released earlier today. However at first sight the report highlights the statements we have made for many years that efficiency savings within the service have yet to be identified and fully implemented. It is not unreasonable to expect [...]
May 17, 2013
RFU response to Sir Ken Knight’s report
By way of a holding statement, the RFU welcomes in principle Sir Ken Knight's report into the Fire Service. We need to fully digest the contents of the report which has only become available to us this morning, but in essence the report appears to mirror the stance we have been taking for many years [...]

December 31, 2010
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