Thank you for your request under the Freedom of Information Act 2000. We can confirm that Essex County Fire & Rescue Service does hold the information you have requested.
Please see below the answers to your request.
Questions and final response:
Some employers deduct subscriptions for trade union members directly out of their wages of employees who are trade union members, via the payroll. The employer then gives these payments to the trade union.
Sometimes this arrangement is called the ‘check-off’.
1. Do you have this arrangement in place for any of your workforce? If so for which trade unions do you supply this service?
We deduct from employees for Unison, Fire Brigades Union (FRU) and Fire and Rescue Services Association.
2. What charge (if any) do you make to trade unions for collecting subscriptions on their behalf? - Payroll answer:
We charge the FBU 3% of our monthly deductions for subscriptions
3. What plans (if any) do you have to review your arrangements for collecting subscriptions? Do any such plans including charging trade unions for this service? Alternatively, do they include ending the arrangement altogether and leaving the trade unions to collect their own subscriptions? –
There are no plans, although the FBU have been contacting members to change their deduction method to direct debit, this has been happening over the last few years.
Thank you for your interest in Essex County Fire and Rescue Service, we hope this satisfies your request.