The first FBU conference since the pandemic took place in Brighton in May. It reminded us how valuable it is to discuss matters in person, says national officer Mark Rowe
Resolutions and debates at this year’s FBU conference covered subjects ranging through maternity and paternity pay, shift patterns, pay in the fire and rescue service, and role maps.
FBU general secretary Matt Wrack introduced an executive council policy statement renewing “our commitment to the people of Grenfell, to the community and to our members who attended that night”.
He highlighted the extent of the building safety crisis that affects “hundreds of thousands of working class people across the country,” saying: “we’re talking about the fundamental right of people to live in safe and secure homes”.
In a powerful debate around sexual harassment, women members recounted the disgraceful treatment women still face in the service.
Our union must be at the forefront. It must be setting the example that misogyny and sexism cannot be allowed in our workplaces
Rosa Crowley-Bennett, national women’s committee rep for the North East, said: “Our union must be at the forefront. It must be setting the example that misogyny and sexism cannot be allowed in our workplaces”.
ERADICATE INEQUALITY
It is clear from the contributions of women at the conference that FBU officials and members must redouble efforts to eradicate any and all inequality from our workplaces.
We must not leave somebody else to challenge these issues. Each one of us must challenge inappropriate behaviour or comments every time we see or hear them.
Several conference resolutions backed and called for the expansion of the union’s DECON campaign to minimise harm from fire contaminants.
The FBU will now look to expand DECON principles in national operating guidance and fire station design principles. It will seek to expand DECON research on the effect of PFAS (per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances) – so-called “forever” chemicals.
Delegates heard devastating, heartfelt and hard to forget speeches in the DECON debate. One speaker explained how, after the death of his firefighter father from cancer, he wanted to be able to tell his mother that a DECON motion he was speaking on had been backed at our conference.
North East regional chair Karl Wager told of visiting a dying firefighter in a hospice, whose last wish was to speak to him about this issue and to find out what more could be done to raise awareness.
The conference saw the award of the first FBU solidarity medals, which recognise outstanding displays of solidarity inside and outside the union.
Brendan Woodhouse has helped save the lives of more than 8,000 refugees at sea and campaigned against the awful treatment of refugees to our country.
STRENGTHENED RESOLVE
His moving speech will have strengthened the resolve of everyone at conference to end our country’s disgraceful border policy. As Brendan said: “Our border is the deadliest in the world and we have made it happen.”
Our border is the deadliest in the world and we have made it happen
John McDonnell MP has for decades stood shoulder-to-shoulder with FBU members in their battles. FBU vice president Ben Selby said: “He has been a friend of ours and firefighters for decades, standing on picket lines with us even when it was unfashionable.”
McDonnell said that he will “cherish this medal and cherish this moment for the rest of my life”. The job of a Labour MP is to be with the FBU “in Parliament and on the picket line,” he added.
Guest speaker Labour MP Sarah Jones MP, shadow fire and rescue minister, thanked the FBU for its work and said that 12 years of Conservative government had taken its toll on the service.
TUC general secretary Frances O’Grady thanked members for what they had done throughout the pandemic and said that the rest of the movement looks to the FBU for leadership.
She urged all members to attend the protest against the cost of living crisis in London on Saturday 18 June.
UNION STALWARTS
Several people were at conference as an official of the FBU for the last time, including assistant general secretary Andy Dark, Eastern EC member Brian Hooper and Dorset & Wiltshire brigade secretary Karen Adams.
All three have been union stalwarts for many years and were an inspiration to all conference delegates as they returned to workplaces determined to fight for FBU values and principles.
