Since the publication of the last issue of Firefighter, we have settled our pay dispute.
UNITY GETS RESULTS
In a two-week ballot leading up to 6 March, 96% of FBU members voted to accept the revised offer on an 83% turnout.
We moved our employers repeatedly after the initial 2% offer last summer, finally pushing them to offer 7% from July 2022 and a further 5% from this July. In addition, we have obtained a number of commitments to negotiate further on CPD, control, retained and pay progression, which are now being advanced.
It is worth reminding ourselves how we got this far – by standing united and moving firmly towards strike action, delivering rock solid majorities and turnouts in every single ballot. Most members will now have received their back pay, though we are still pushing some employers who have been slow to implement it.
THE WAR ON WORKERS
The outcome of our pay campaign was the result of our ability to take effective strike action and to negotiate directly with our employers through collective bargaining (we do not have a pay review body).
The Westminster government is planning to attack both of these – via the Minimum Service Levels Bill and through the progression of its White Paper on the fire and rescue service.
In its first budget in March, the Sunak government had an opportunity to change course. Instead, it offered more of the same – a war on workers and handouts for the rich. The latest possible date for a general election is January 2025, and this government can do a lot of damage in that time if left unchallenged.
We cannot afford to relax. We must take the energy and unity of our pay campaign and use it to fight for the future both of the service and our rights as workers.
NO COMPROMISE ON EQUALITY
Since the publication of the LFB Independent Culture Review in November, a flood of reports have reached the media of discrimination, harassment and abuse in the fire and rescue service. The HMICFRS report in late March added more grim details to the picture.
While the reports are shocking, many of the cases will not come as a surprise to our members who have been on the receiving end of abuse, or the union reps who have fought their corner.
As a union, we will fight to challenge discrimination, bullying and harassment – and that means asserting our collective power. We are unapologetic in pointing out that the problem goes right to the top – in a lack of action and a sense of impunity at the most senior levels of management.
INJURED ON THE FRONT LINE
On 22 March, we received reports of a serious on-duty incident when a fire engine crashed near Bakewell, Derbyshire. One member has life-changing injuries. Our thoughts are with her, and we will continue to be on hand to provide support in the time ahead.
