Will Stone listened to the speeches and spoke to firefighters at the FBU’s national rally about why they attended
LEONI MUNSLOW
National women’s committee, London region
We want to see national standards for maternity rights that give 52 weeks of full pay for all female firefighters. Currently maternity pay is a postcode lottery where one station will offer the minimum and another 52 weeks. This has to change. However, we’re pleased that we have achieved a minimum agreement for 26 weeks full pay at the last pay round, so we’re half way there.
LEWIS CLARK
FBU Scotland
We have had more than 1,400 frontline firefighters cut in Scotland since 2010, which is nearly 20%. It has to stop. We need investment to properly fund resources, allow for better working conditions and to help respond to emergencies on time. If the new Labour government is serious about change it must turn back the clock on 14 years of austerity, and put public safety first.
CRAIG ELSON
Staffordshire brigade organiser
I’ve been a firefighter for 21 years and keeping communities safer has become increasingly difficult. There have been cuts to more than 12,000 firefighter jobs across Britain since 2010. We have seen fire crews cut to unsafe levels as a result. Some fire engines have crews of only three, which is putting lives at risk. We are demanding a national standards body that firefighters sit on. It’s time that we rebuild our broken and fragmented fire services.
EMILY HOLLANDS
Greater Manchester fire investigator
I’m proud to be part of a humanitarian profession that saves lives. But too many are suffering from bullying, harassment and discrimination, which goes right to the top. In Greater Manchester we have won 52 weeks maternity leave on full pay. But it isn’t good enough for us to stop there. It’s great that a woman in my brigade gets 52 weeks, but why should a woman next door get less?
DAVE PITT
West Midlands fire service crew commander
Many of us will know a firefighter who has died of cancer as a result of their job. Exposure to toxic substances is an avoidable risk and we need to stop firefighters dying as a result. Every firefighter should have access to the resources they need to protect themselves. But these resources won’t be given to us, we have to fight for them. We can prevent cancers and death. Let’s do it for our colleagues and the future generations of firefighters.
EMMA POLLEY
Essex fire control
I was involved in the first ever control strike in FBU history in 2014 and 2015. I didn’t come into the fire service to strike, I joined to save lives. But to defend public safety we must be able to defend working conditions, and sometimes that means taking industrial action. What we did nine years ago was effectively banned under the Tories with the minimum service levels act. Before the election, Labour promised to scrap that law quickly. I’m here today to make sure they don’t forget that promise.
JOHN HODGKISS
West Midlands watch commander
I’m here because I want to see the new Labour government deliver what they have promised and to reverse the cuts. But the cuts date back further than 14 years. They have been going on for much longer. The last Labour government has to share some responsibility for it. We can only hope that the new Labour government will do better. I also want to see national standards set for training that will also help to improve safety and save lives.
MATTHEW WILKINS
Firefighter, Perry Bar
There’s no standardisation on training for firefighters. Training usually takes around 13 weeks but it’s a postcode lottery. More investment and standardisation in training would help improve fire services across the country and all operating at the same level
MILES STUBBS
Group commander based in Inverness
National standards have been in decline for many years and we’re going backwards. The new Labour government has a real opportunity now to repair the damage. Fire services are facing big challenges financially with reduced budgets. But funding and resources need to address the new challenges caused by climate change as floods and wildfires increase.
