GENERAL SECRETARY ELECTION

Matt Wrack elected

Matt Wrack has been elected General Secretary of the Fire Brigades Union. He defeated Andy Gilchrist in a secret postal ballot conducted by Electoral Reform Balloting services in which over 40% of members voted.

The result:

Votes cast: 20,663

Spoilt 571

Matt Wrack 12,883 (63.9%)

Andy Gilchrist 7,259 (36.1%)

Matt Wrack said: “I am enormously proud to be elected and thank everyone who participated in the ballot. I congratulate Andy Gilchrist on a hard fought campaign.

“We now need to unite and face the challenges ahead. The FBU is the only union in the fire service with the unity and strength of purpose to face up to those challenges.

“As general secretary I will represent all members of the FBU, our professionalism and the pride with which we serve our communities. I look forward to rolling up my sleeves and getting down to that work.”

Outgoing General Secretary Andy Gilchrist said: “I congratulate Matt on his election and I wish him the best for the future. At the end of a hard fought campaign the members have spoken and the outcome must be accepted.

“I have been very proud to serve the FBU for many years as a national official and as General Secretary. I would urge all members to unite to face the challenges ahead.”

Annual Conference

FBU is to hold its Annual Conference next week in Southport, where delegates representing members from across the UK will debate and make decisions on key workplace campaigns.

Key debates include pensions and how to take our strategy forward; next steps on our IRMP, health and safety and emergency fire control campaigns.

The proposed order of business and key paragraphs/resolutions are as follows:

Tuesday 10 May

Wednesday 11 May

Thurs 12 May

Friday 13 May

Standing orders sits 5-8pm on Monday.

No emergency resolutions can be accepted after then.

Control Care Campaign

On Wednesday 4 May, FBU Control members and firefighters from around Gloucestershire took the fight against Regional Controls onto the streets of Cheltenham and Gloucester.

The day of action was organized and coordinated by FBU Control rep Rosie Tully. In addition to our members who were out petitioning and distributing leaflets, firefighters and control staff took unofficial industrial action in support of their comrades in Fire Control Rooms whose livelihoods are threatened by the Governments ill advised plans.

Well over 1,000 signatures were collected in a little over three and half hours as the people of Gloucestershire queued to add their names to the petitions. The press campaign that has been ongoing in the South West for over 12 months proved to be effective as the vast majority of people were well informed on the current state of affairs regarding the Regionalisation of Fire Control Rooms.

The FBU members were joined by the CSNC EC member and National Secretary and Chair in what was a fantastic days campaigning. The highlight for many was the Council Cabinet Member with responsibility for the Fire Service, Jeremy Hilton, turning up to sign the petition to save the Control Room. Thanks to all who attended and gave their support.

For information on our Campaign Against the Regionalisation of Emergency Fire Controls (CARe), visit www.controlcare.org.uk

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Last Modified: 7/04/08 10:50,