Fire chiefs massive pay rise
SUFFOLK'S fire chiefs were today accused of “not living in the real world” after it emerged they had enjoyed a pay rise of more than 4pc last year - while jobs are under threat.
SUFFOLK'S fire chiefs were today accused of “not living in the real world” after it emerged they had enjoyed a pay rise of more than 4pc last year - while jobs are under threat.
Chief fire officer Andy Fry saw his salary increase by 4.25pc to nearly �120,000 in the past year.
The county's two assistant fire chiefs saw their salaries increase by 4.05pc.
The rise comprises of 1.25pc awarded to all firefighters and a further 3pc rise for the chief and 2.7pc rise for the two assistants.
You may also want to watch:
Their “top up” rise covers two years after getting no additional increase in 2008.
These shocking pay rises come after sources revealed to The Evening Star that as many as 17 firefighters' jobs could go as part of a review of their shift system.
Most Read
- 1 Homelessness charity set to reopen popular shop
- 2 Suspected drink driver charged after police dog tracks down man hiding in a ditch
- 3 University joy for Lowestoft Sixth Form students
- 4 Funeral arrangements for Prince Philip confirmed
- 5 Closing coastal footbridge will have 'devastating' impact, pub owner says
- 6 Further walk-in vaccination clinics being held across Norfolk and Waveney
- 7 Can you match a nurse's daily step count?
- 8 'World’s highest qualified merchant seamen' dies aged 62
- 9 Thieves target boats on Broads and local rivers
- 10 Elections 2021: Framlingham and Beccles by-election candidates published
However, other top county council bosses - including chief executive Andrea Hill, who is on �220,000 a year, and directors and assistant directors - have agreed to take no pay award this year.
The rises for the fire chiefs were condemned by East Anglian Fire Brigade Union secretary Adrian Clarke, who said the union had been told there was “a very real possibility” of job cuts among firefighters.
“I have heard 17 but I don't know where that comes from or how true it is, but we have certainly been told there is a very real possibility of a reduction in the number of firefighters,” he said.
“These bosses really should start living in the real world.
“We know how tough it is out there. We've seen friends and family members lose their jobs so we understand why there was only a 1.25pc rise this year.”
A spokeswoman for the county council said the top-up increases were agreed by the county, but were part of a national agreement to ensure there were differentials between the most senior officers and other fire staff.
She emphasised: “The extra rises cover two years, so they only equate at 1.5pc a year for the chief.”
