The next phase of the Equality Matters campaign was launched in February, with new materials and resources to equip members to stand against discrimination in the workplace
Delegates at FBU conference 2023 voted for a UK-wide campaign to fight for equality in the fire and rescue service, after investigations highlighted widespread discrimination, harassment, bullying and inequality in the sector.
This work started with the Fight for 52 campaign, pushing for 52 weeks’ full-pay maternity leave.
Now, Equality Matters is preparing members to have difficult conversations and take a stand against misogyny, racism, transphobia, homophobia and ableism.
As part of this next stage, FBU activists from across the equalities sections came together to film a video sharing experiences and how we can work together to create an inclusive service.
New posters will now be up on fire station and control room noticeboards everywhere, and an online hub with information, updates and resources is available at fbu.org.uk
As the only democratic and representative body for firefighters and control room staff, the FBU will take a leading role in transforming our service.
LFB independent culture review
The FBU executive council has approved the union’s official response to the London Fire Brigade (LFB) independent culture review. The review was published in November 2022 and was carried out in response to the tragic death of black firefighter Jaden Matthew Francois-Esprit in August of that year.
Its author, Nazir Afzal, concluded that the brigade was “institutionally racist and misogynist”.
The FBU broadly accepts that the findings of the review reflect the lived experiences of members. It also broadly accepts the vast majority of the review’s 23 recommendations, with important caveats around body-worn cameras and the ambiguity of the term “zero tolerance”.
However, there are gaps. The voice of LGBT+ and neurodivergent LFB employees is limited, and it is important that we explore this. The union also believes that the Inclusive Fire Service Group (IFSG) is an important mechanism to bring about change; it is omitted from the report.
Equalities cannot be left to chief fire officers and principal managers. The FBU and its members must be part of the solution.
We will continue to fight for a better, more inclusive culture. Jaden Francois-Esprit will always be remembered, and we pay tribute to his family for their unwavering determination to see similar circumstances never repeated.
NATIONAL NEURODIVERSITY EVENT
The FBU is proud to announce a national neurodiversity event. This is an important step in fighting for a fire service that is inclusive of neurodivergence.
WHEN: Wednesday 20 March
PLACE: Leeds
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