The Fire Brigades Union
Surrey FBU
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Session Aims
Refresh Knowledge of FBU National And
Regional Structures
 Outline Standard Branch Organisation
 Improve Knowledge of Membership Benefits
 Improve Understanding of Branch
Administration (Form Filling Etc)

2
THE MEMBERSHIP
The Branch
The Fire Brigades Union
Structure
(any workplace with FBU members)
Branch Officials
Brigade Committee
Brigade Sectional Sub-Committees
Brigade Officials and an Official from
each Branch or Section
Retained, Officers, Control
B&EMM, Women, G&L
(Via Divisional Committees where
appropriate)
Regional Committee
Regional Sectional Sub-Committees
Regional Officials / EC member and an
official from each Brigade & Section
Retained, Officers, Control
B&EMM, Women, G&L
National Sections
Retained, Officers, Control
Executive Council
B&EMM, Women, G&L
One EC member for every
Region and Section
Head Office
President, General Secretary, AGS, National Officers
3
Branch Structure
Branch Secretary
H&S Rep
Branch Chair
Union Learning Rep
Delegate to Committee
Branch Members
4
Benefits of FBU Membership
• Negotiate Pay, Conditions & Working
Practices (nationally and locally)
• Represent you in Discipline & Grievance
• Promote your Health, Safety & Welfare
• Represent you in Medical Appeals
• Represent you in Pension Appeals
• Lead campaigns to promote and defend
your life-saving service
5
Additional Benefits
•
FBU Accident & Injury Fund
•
Free Access to Legal Services
•
Life-long Learning opportunities
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Accident & Injury Fund
•
An FBU Fund Exclusively for FBU Members
•
Independent of, and in addition to, employer
sickness and pension provisions
•
Detailed provisions and definitions to cover
illness, injury, disease, loss of sight, loss of
limb and death
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Accident & Injury Fund
(AIF - Rule 30)

If an AIF member is injured and off sick as a result they may be
entitled to benefits under Rule 30.

Lump sum payments are also made to nominees in cases of
death and permanent disablement to member or dependants.
(Death means any cause of death)

In the past few years the FBU, has paid out over £600k annually
to FBU Members
8
Accident & Injury Fund- what is covered?

Temporary disablement- on or off duty

Permanent disablement- (total loss of sight in
one eye, permanent loss of the use of one or
more limbs)

Death benefit

Death of a dependent
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Accident and Injury Fund- Rates
Temporary disablement = £163 per week
 Permanent disablement = £14,099
 Death of a member’s dependant = £5,570 lump
sum.
 Death of a member payment is lump sum of
100% W/T FF’s annual salary = £28,199 +
£5,639 per dependant child.

10
Accident and Injury Fund - Definitions

Injury- Any physical injury resulting in
disablement.

Illness- Any illness or disease contracted as a
direct consequence of fire service duties
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AIF How much does it cost?
The Accident and Injury Fund
it is financed by members contributions
Covered in the FBU Rule book Rule 30
contributions 76p per week
Or
£3.29 a month
12
Basic AIF fund Rules

Death benefit claims must be made within 12 months

Disablement claims from date of injury –
24 months on duty, 18 months off duty (No exceptions)

Off-duty injury paid out after 6 month pre-qualifying period

On-duty injury paid out after 12 month qualifying period

52 week maximum benefit period for temp. disablement

Rule 30 para 7(d)- reduction in benefit for subsequent
claims within one year
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Legal Services - Thompsons

The Fire Brigades Union offers its members the best
possible legal protection in their work and lives through
its unique partnership with Thompson's – the UK’s
largest and longest established firm of specialist
personal injury and trade union lawyers.

The firm has offices in major cities throughout the UK.
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Thompsons Legal Service
Free pursuit of personal injury claims – for FBU
members and their family (on or off duty)
 Holiday injury cover
 Clinical Negligence Service
 Free Will Service
 Free legal advice - (outside your employment i.e.
neighbour disputes, debt claims, defective goods,
matrimonial disputes etc
 Free legal advice arising from your employment –
(contact your FBU Brigade Official first)

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How do I access the legal advice?
Legal Aid Network (LAN): 0808 100 6061
 Via the website www.fbu.org.uk
 Written application forms - available online,
from FBU Brigade Official or the FBU office

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Other Phone Numbers

Criminal Helpline: 0800 587 7530
to be used should a member be arrested and taken to
a police station for interview under caution

Free Will Service: 01752 770077
for a free will pack from Thompsons Solicitors

FBU Confidential Helpline: 0800 783 4778
Free phone helpline for all members at any time
17
EDUCATION

FBU and TUC Training and educational courses
for Officials and Members

Life-long Learning for all Members and Officials
18
FBU Lifelong Learning
Government sponsored initiative to promote
learning and skills at work
 Only Available through Trade Unions
 Wide range of skills and courses
 FBU have trained workplace Learning Reps
 Languages, IT skills, Skills for life etc.

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Important Forms
Membership Application Form
 Change of Details Form
 Variation of Nomination Form
 Accident and Injury Fund Forms (3 types)
 Legal Assistance Forms (3 types)
 Out of Trade Membership Application
 Will Questionnaire (FREE Will Service)

20
Website

National Website www.fbu.org.uk
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Confirm Learning Outcomes
Demonstrate Knowledge of;
 National and Regional Union Structures
 Branch Organisation
 Branch Admin
And finally
 Membership Benefits and how to access them
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THE
END
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