Page 7 - WMPF Federation AUG-SEPT 2019_Neat

Chair argues for ‘honourable solution’

West Midlands Police Federation chair Rich pensions was issued. position taken on legal fees in particular. I
Cooke has repeated calls for officers to be The statement said the Police Federation believe this should be left on the table and no
returned to the original pension schemes of England and Wales would not pay the member, in principle, should be left out of
they joined calling it the ‘only honourable private legal fees for the ‘Pension Challenge’ pocket. Money is tighter now, but surely we
solution’ in the current pensions row. which many members affected by the should wait to see and try our best to help
Rich was with Federation pension changes had signed up to. our members who feel let down, if that
representatives at a two-day meeting of the Rich said afterwards: “While there is much becomes possible?”
And he continued: “I want to see proactive
Federation’s National Council in Birmingham positive and that I can agree with within the measures taken by the national Federation,
“ impetus for returning officers to their original
collective statement, I cannot support the
in July where a collective statement on
starting today, to try to create a political
I want to see proactive measures taken by
schemes as the only honourable solution.

the national Federation, starting today, to
“I will continue to fight for the decision of
the Supreme Court to be treated as the
opportunity it is, rather than seen as a
try to create a political impetus for

He added: “Others in our board will take a
returning officers to their original schemes problem to be managed or made the best of.
different view, but this is mine, as your
directly-elected chair and from speaking with
as the only honourable solution. many members I think they deserve no less
from me.”

Collective statement
“
The full statement issued by the Police Wales’ police officer pension position. for the ‘Pension Challenge’. This position
Federation of England and Wales was as Our stance has always been that police remains unchanged.
follows: officers should have stayed in the pension Once the Government proposes a
Police Federation officials representing schemes they signed up to, or better, and remedy – which is likely to be a protracted
officers from across England and Wales that remains our stance in any future process and potentially affect all public
– our National Board and National Council discussions with Government over police sector pensions - if it becomes necessary
– have met over the past two days to officer pensions. for us to mount a legal challenge on behalf
discuss important issues affecting our It was scandalous that the Government of all police officers in England and Wales
members, and top of that list has been forced the changes it made to pensions then we stand ready to do so. It may be
pensions. back in 2012, but legally it had the power to that no one has to submit claims.
Much has been said to the Police do so. There are no negotiation rights for The importance of fair and just
Federation of England and Wales, and to police officers on pensions. pensions for police officers – who sacrifice
local Federations across the country, since Following the judges’/firefighters’ so much during their working careers to
the Supreme Court ruled there could be no ruling, the Government has said it will serve and protect the public – cannot be
appeal by the Government on the Judges’ release a statement on the issue before understated. There has been much
and Firefighters’ pension discrimination Parliament’s summer recess begins on 25 discussion over what has gone before but
ruling. July. We are talking to other public sector we now need to move forward collectively;
We are listening to you. We are unions in advance of that announcement not just as a Police Federation but as proud
listening to your representatives. And and are, of course, listening to the views of police officers. A collective and non-
following our discussions over the past all police officers, including those who are fragmented voice has the ability to be very
two days we – the PFEW and local Police part of the ‘Pension Challenge’. powerful and to get the best terms and
Federations - publish this joint statement We have previously made it clear we conditions it can for officers across the
on the Police Federation of England and would not be paying the private legal fees country.

Industrial resolution

On 15 July, the Government issued a written statement in respect of what it means for our members, so while many will have further
the ruling on the judges’ and firefighters’ pensions making it clear questions about this, we are not in a position to answer those
the Government would apply an industrial remedy to the until such time as we have heard what the resolution may be and
discrimination found by the Employment Appeal Tribunal. This we expect those discussions to be protracted,” a Police Federation
means the remedy will apply to every worker in the public sector statement said.
pension schemes, including police officers. You can read the statement issued by the Treasury at
“What we do not know is exactly what the remedy will be and https://tinyurl.com/y3zsg2vn

www.polfed.org/westmids federation August/September 2019 07