FBU general secretary Matt Wrack has written to Prime Minister Boris Johnson in opposition to his government’s forthcoming attack on firefighters.
In the letter Matt explains that the union is aware “of the likelihood of a White Paper addressing issues within the fire and rescue service”, and that there are concerns around “two specific areas which appear to be under consideration; the role of Police and Crime Commissioners and the issue of collective bargaining within the service”.
With regards to PCCs it is thought that takeovers by them of fire services could be mandated, threatening local democracy and the clear distinction between the police and fire services.
The union believes that collective bargaining is under threat due to a series of government-led inspection reports which heavily criticised current arrangements. However these criticisms came from a small number of chiefs, and are not reflective of the majority of comments from chief fire officers.
The removal of collective bargaining would threaten the pay and conditions of firefighters and control staff in the future, and could even contradict the Brexit agreement.
You can read the letter here.
