Trade unions

Matt Wrack, FBU general secretary, has called the Trade Union Bill an attack on ordinary working people in a new video released by the union. The bill, due its second reading in parliament on Monday 14 September, will severely restrict the ability of trade unions to represent and campaign for their...

The Conservative government, following on from the Queens speech, will today start the process to introduce new thresholds on strike ballots and other changes that will inhibit industrial action and restrict the rights of trade unions. The government is proposing new thresholds for industrial action...

The Fire Brigades Union has expressed opposition to a proposal by Tories on the London Assembly to withdraw free travel benefits from the families of Transport for London (TfL) workers and give them to firefighters instead. A motion from the Tory group calling for the switch will be tabled at a...

The Fire Brigades Union has responded to the publication of the Conservative party manifesto, calling for stricter rules governing trade unions, as a fundamental attack on democracy. Matt Wrack, FBU general secretary, said: “This Tory manifesto is a further attack on our democracy. These proposals...

Retired and out of trade members are being called upon to support active firefighters as they prepare to take strike action on the 25 February over an unworkable pension scheme being imposed by the Westminster government. Matt Wrack, FBU general secretary, has written to all out of trade members...

Reacting to plans by Conservative ministers to restrict trade union rights by limiting industrial action if they win the 2015 general election, Matt Wrack, FBU general secretary, said: “Trade union laws in the UK are already some of the most repressive in the world. “The introduction of an...

Firefighters attending the FBU’s education school were treated to a special screening of the documentary film Still the enemy within which tells the story of the miners who fought back against the Thatcher government during the 1984 – 85 national strike. The film, partly funded by the FBU, gives a...

Firefighters in England, currently undertaking four days of strike action until 4 November over the governments implementation of an unfair, unaffordable and unsustainable pension scheme, have received more messages of support from other trade unions. Christine Blower, National Union of Teachers...

Firefighters in England striking over the next four days have received numerous messages of support and solidarity. Here are just some below. Frances O’Grady, TUC general secretary, said: “Once again the government is showing its contempt for public service workers. Evidence warns that raising the...