This is the first issue of Firefighter magazine to be published under a Labour government in more than 14 years.
No one working in, or paying attention to, the fire and rescue service will be oblivious to the damage done by Tory rule.
As we report, only this month freedom of information requests by the FBU have uncovered the scale of job losses since 2010. Britain has lost 12,295 firefighter jobs – amounting to 21% of the total.
Now is the time to fight for positive change.
Ahead of the election, the FBU fought successfully for a series of commitments from Labour: to roll back the authoritarian anti-union laws of recent years, to safeguard collective bargaining for our pay and conditions, and to reintroduce national standards in the fire and rescue service.
The Firefighters Manifesto, which we published last year, was a good start. Now, it is down to firefighters to push Labour to deliver on its promises.
Recent years have demonstrated how much we can achieve when we stand together. We must roll back the legacy of underfunding and fragmentation of recent decades and win a fire and rescue service that is fit for the future.
On Tuesday 8 October, the FBU is calling a national rally and lobby of Westminster to take our case into the heart of the UK government.
We need hundreds of firefighters, fire control staff and other FBU members to come from all corners of the country. Please email your brigade secretary if you can make it.
FAR-RIGHT RIOTS
As we report on page 4, this August has seen some of the worst far-right violence in modern British history. Mosques, migrant accommodation, lawyers’ offices, advice centres, homes and businesses have been targeted. People of colour have been attacked in the streets.
The FBU stands in solidarity with all those facing racist, anti-migrant and Islamophobic attacks and intimidation.
Austerity, cutting pay and trashing public services were choices made by right-wing politicians in the interests of big business – not by migrants.
Politicians have a duty to offer an alternative, and to directly take on racism and anti-migrant rhetoric.
GRENFELL
More than seven years on from the Grenfell Tower fire, we expect the public inquiry to release its final report on 4 September.
Grenfell was a tragedy, but it was also a crime caused by deregulation and by political decisions at the heart of government. Time and time again, profit was put ahead of human life.
We will stand shoulder to shoulder with the community to demand justice for the 72 lives that were lost.
FBU members should attend a briefing at 6.30pm on 5 September. Details have been emailed to members.
HEALTH AND SAFETY LAW
This summer marks 50 years since the introduction of the Health and Safety at Work Act, a landmark achievement for the trade union movement. While unscrupulous bosses cut corners, health and safety reps keep workers protected.
On breathing apparatus, fire contaminants and basic safety measures, changes to the law are vital – but trade unionism and collective strength are the ultimate guarantors of our rights at work. We must organise like our lives depend on it – because they do.
FAREWELL
In recent weeks, the FBU has been saying goodbye to a number of valued staff who are not coming with the union as we prepare to move Head Office to central London.
It would be wrong not to give a special thanks to Anna Zych, whose work behind the scenes has been a crucial part of the success of Firefighter magazine for many years. She will be greatly missed.
