Political decisions shape our working lives. Every day, politicians at national and local levels make decisions that affect us all – in the fire and rescue service and beyond
Core workplace issues such as health and safety, fairness and equality, pensions, compensation for death or injury, and protections at work are all political. Workers’ rights, the NHS, housing, and the state of our public services are key political issues that every member has a stake in. The FBU therefore needs to engage with politics and politicians on every level. Without a political fund, trade unions have their hands tied. The campaigns we have fought and won, and the improvements we have achieved together, have all been facilitated by members voting for and contributing to the political fund. The law dictates that trade unions cannot spend money on political objectives unless they have a political fund that has been approved by a ballot of members. This is separate to our general fund which finances most of our activities.
WHY IS THE POLITICAL FUND IMPORTANT?
Throughout the history of our union, politics has been at the very heart of everything the FBU does. For over a century, the FBU has proudly stood up for our members interests and the rights of working people more widely. Everything about the fire and rescue service is political. Politicians decide on cuts, resources, pensions and pay. Across the UK, our service faces brutal austerity. This follows more than a decade of the worst cuts in our history. Our campaigns against cuts to firefighter jobs, stations, and appliances, for safe crewing levels, and in defence of conditions of service are more important than ever. A strong “Yes” vote in the political fund ballot will make sure we can continue our fight for the future of our service.
WHY IS THE VOTE HAPPENING NOW?
Since Thatcher waged war on trade unions, successive governments have passed increasingly restrictive legislation to limit members’ ability to fight back. Under the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992, trade unions cannot spend money on political objectives unless they have been approved by a ballot of our members. All unions are legally required to hold a vote every 10 years, asking members whether their “political fund” can continue. As the last vote was in 2014, it is now time for us to vote again.
IS IT ALL ABOUT THE LABOUR PARTY?
At our annual conference, members decided that affiliation to the Labour Party would be in the interest of members. No political fund money from Scotland or Northern Ireland is used for that affiliation. However, the political fund is vital for lobbying politicians of all parties. It gives us a presence in the corridors of power by helping us organise the FBU parliamentary group – MPs who make our case in the House of Commons. These MPs work with us to make sure we have an impact on government policy, challenging ministers and raising our concerns in parliament. We need it to campaign in the interests of firefighters: organising rallies and demonstrations; putting pressure on local councils, devolved governments and Westminster; getting the public on our side through leaflets, posters, petitions, and online tools; producing hard-hitting reports to set out our arguments.
HOW MUCH DO MEMBERS CONTRIBUTE TO THE FUND?
Just 20p per week of your union subs goes towards the political fund through what is known as the “political levy”. New members decide whether to “opt in” to pay into the political fund. Members paying into the fund can opt out at any time. By voting yes in this ballot, you are voting for all members to be given this choice. The government doesn’t want you to vote yes to having a political fund, or to opt into it. They want you to lose your political voice, to make it easier for them to strip away your rights and attack your working conditions.
HOW DO I VOTE IN THE BALLOT?
You will receive a ballot paper to your home address. Restrictive legislation requires the ballot to be delivered by postal vote only. So please make sure you vote yes and return your completed ballot paper in the Freepost envelope provided.
