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Fireman sues for failed driving tests that ‘cost him £6,000 rise’
Neil Millard10 Jul 2009
A fireman is suing the London Fire Brigade for £16,000, claiming he was denied a pay rise because he had not passed his driving test.
When Ben Vickers, 29, joined the service in 2004 his bosses told him he did not need a driving licence. But he says the LFB later told him he would have to pass before he could receive a £6,000 pay rise he should have got after 18 months.
Mr Vickers, of Islington, failed his driving test twice and was kept on his £21,000 salary for two and a half years, despite serving as a crew manager in charge of a fire engine.
He has lodged a High Court writ claiming for lost pay, arguing that not having a driving licence was reason enough to be excused from driving. He said: “They took me on knowing what I was capable of. I should be exempt.”
The London Fire Brigade said: “The matter is subject to court proceedings and we do not consider it appropriate to comment.”
Reader views (13)
seems to me that when he joinged they told him that he didnt need to be able to drive inorder to qualify from being a trainee to a fully qualified fireman.
if i remember correctly when you start out as a firmean you are told exactly teh steps you need to complete your "book" and this wasnt one of them (for a small period of time that ben and a few others were taken on)
soudns to me like they have changed the rules.
duncan, you should watch your mouth mate. this is a guy that runs into fires to save the likes of you and you seem to be commenting without really knowing very much.
- Pj, london, 13/07/2009 16:39
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This greedy grasping chancer is paid 21,000 pounds a year to fight fires and be a non driving fire fighter. If this loser wants to become a more qualified fire fighter as in able to drive the engine then I suggest he passes his test or find a job that he is happy to do. Just when is somebody in power going to stop this madness ? It is well past time for the return of common sense and not an automatic right to be paid for being a failure, because that is exactly what you are my friend. A FAILURE!
- Duncan Walker, Ex Peckham now Thailand, 13/07/2009 05:19
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Ben you picked the wrong job if you wanted to be treated fairly and with respect or dignity-been in it for 29 years and treated like dirt-get out while you still can r you will end up like me wishing your life away and dreaming of retiring
- Ryan, holyhead n wales, 12/07/2009 22:28
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Surely we do not have to hear this "case"?!
- Jacqueline, Hampstead, London, 10/07/2009 17:55
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"his bosses told him he did not need a driving licence"
He didn't need one to do the job otherwise they wouldn't have employed him, to be fully qualified he needed the license, he was still employed as a trainee without the license was he not? If he can't pass the qualifications needed to advance up the ladder (no pun intended) then what on earth is he complaining about, does he think the rest of get promotions and pay raises based on inability to improve in our given vocations?
- Bob, Cheam, 10/07/2009 17:51
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If you can;t do the job why should you get remuneration for being a failure.Move over and let someone else have your job. loser.
- Ray Duggan, chatteris, 10/07/2009 14:17
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having a driving licence used to be an essential qualification on joining.It was then relaxed so that it became an 'essential'qualification required,like the ability to wear breathing apparatus,climb a ladder,get water out of a pump etc for a firefighter to reach 'Qualified' status and recieve full pay.Otherwise,we will have people picking and choosing what they can and can't do.If London Fire Brigade pointed out to him that it (a licence) was a requirement for Qualified firefighter pay then he has nothing to complain about-if he can't pass the test he can't have the full pay.In my brigade you had to be LGV qualified to get your full pay-who is going to drive the pumps if you can opt out of driving but get the same pay?
- Xan, england, 10/07/2009 13:53
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What a loser. Does he really think he is getting away with this? If you cannot drive a car how do you expect ever to drive a big fire-engine?!??
- Caroline, Islington, London, 10/07/2009 13:21
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They were right, he did not need it to do the job. He needed it for the pay rise. Simple as that!
- Tom Smith, London, 10/07/2009 11:06
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The issue is not about the qualification itself, but about LFB moving the goalpost, which is unfair. They should pay up!
- Bleeding Heart Liberal, London, 10/07/2009 10:41
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Agreed when contract commenced that he did not drive & was not required. Quite sad that this is the state of play in public service organisations, that are unable to communicate without 3rd party Law being involved.
- William, Hay~Heath UK, 10/07/2009 09:34
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I don't have the qualifications to be a brain surgeon. Who can I sue?
- George, London, 10/07/2009 09:20
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SOrry, this is ridiculous
If you don't have the skills you don't get paid.
- Stuart, Dunstable, Uk, 10/07/2009 08:52
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