Dear Brother / Sister
RESPONSE TO MARAUDING TERRORISM – VERIFYING WITH YOUR EMPLOYER THAT RESPONDING TO SUCH INCIDENTS IS VOLUNTARY
For some years, as previously reported to members, the Executive Council has been engaged in discussions with the national employers regarding ‘broadening the role’. In the main, little headway has been achieved, primarily because of governments being unwilling to engage in the process. This is not the case uniformly across the UK. For some considerable time there was no government in Northern Ireland because of specific political factors. In Wales, there was a more receptive approach and the most receptive approach was that of the Scottish Government. The progression of ‘broadening the role’ by the NJC has been suspended for some while because of a number of reasons, primarily those mentioned above.
On 10 December, Head Office circular 2020HOC0661AD brought members’ attention to recent developments in Greater Manchester whereby a collective agreement has been reached. That agreement provides that those members who volunteer to become members of the specialist responder team shall continue to do so for the duration of the agreement - which may be extended mutually between GMFBU and GMFRS. That agreement was facilitated by the NJC through the NJC conciliation process.
Responding to incidents of marauding terrorism is not in the role of any firefighter. However, a number of members have volunteered to do so by way of being members of specialist teams.
The voluntary status of the respective members in Greater Manchester is secured by that collective agreement.
In all other cases, for those members who have opted to volunteer to be members of specialist teams, it is considered to be appropriate to reinforce your employer’s understanding that you do so voluntarily.
To be clear, as previously notified, (other than in GMFRS) the FBU does not encourage members to volunteer to undertake response to marauding terrorist incidents for reasons of concerns in respect of safety, pension, compensation and pay. Equally however, the FBU does not call upon members to refrain from undertaking these duties where you have chosen to do so.
To that end, members are advised to make this clear to your employer by submitting a memo in accordance with the standard practice/form in your FRS for bringing matters to the employer’s attention.
The following is a suggested form of words that you may wish to use. You are strongly advised to keep a copy of the memo for your own records.
Dear xxxx,
VOLUNTARY ACTIVITIES - RESPONSE TO MARAUDING TERRORISM
Since xxxxxxxxxx, I have been undertaking activities in respect of fire and rescue service response to incidents arising from acts of marauding terrorism. This activity is outside of the role of ‘Grey Book personnel’. I take this opportunity to remind you, in writing, that I undertake these activities voluntarily. For the avoidance of doubt, this memo registers the voluntary nature of the arrangement and does not serve as notice of my intent to withdraw from performing those activities.
Yours
xxxxxxxxxxxx
I hope this circular has been of assistance to you.
Best wishes.
Yours in solidarity.
ANDY DARK
Assistant General Secretary
