The Executive Council congratulates FBU members for the magnificent unity displayed during our recent successful strike action on 25 September 2013. This action, along with the other campaigning by our members, has provided the lever necessary to open a further round of discussions. The union has always been clear that we wish to resolve the dispute through negotiation rather than strike action and that every avenue should be explored to achieve this.
Within the past two days there has been considerable discussion with CLG officials, with the CLG Minister and with representatives of the fire service employers in England. These discussions have resulted in a shift in the publicly stated position of the national employers. There has also been dialogue with representatives of the Welsh Assembly Government.
The FBU has been presented with a letter from the national employers (17 October) which is based upon one discussed recently with the Scottish government and the Scottish employer. Although at a glance this document resembles the Scottish proposal, closer inspection outlines several differences which are important.
The Executive Council notes:
• That this letter and the proposals within it do not address the other concerns of firefighters for example around issues of protection, employee contributions and the other issues in dispute. These areas remain central to our campaign and we shall continue to pursue them in all discussions.
• That these proposals so far do not fully reflect the changed position in Scotland
Therefore the proposals set out by the national employers in the letter dated 17 October have not been agreed, endorsed or recommended by the Executive Council.
The Executive Council welcomes the positive commitment from the employers and from the Fire Ministers (at CLG and in Wales) to do what is necessary to avoid the risk of firefighters facing the threat of No Job and No Pension.
However, these discussions have highlighted that there are many details which have not yet been addressed. If the commitments and assurances given by CLG and by the employers are genuine then there should be a very rapid way to resolve any uncertainty and provide the guarantees which are necessary. The union will seek the necessary legal advice in this process so that firefighters can have confidence in any processes which emerge.
The Executive Council has agreed to temporarily postpone the strike action scheduled for Saturday so as to allow government and the national employers the opportunity to present a workable and robust solution to the problems they say they wish to resolve. The union would need to ensure that we are confident that any such process provides the necessary legal protections for firefighters.
This is a temporary postponement of strike action. The FBU will seek discussions with government/s on the other areas of our dispute.
The Executive Council has convened a meeting of representatives from brigades, regional and sectional committees to assess the current stage of our campaign and negotiations. The Executive Council will meet in a week’s time to assess progress and consider whether further strike action needs to be called.
