Features

The FBU brought together activists to assess and learn from a struggle the government would rather ignore, Barrie Clement reports (Photo credit: Ray Rising/reportdigital.co.uk) March this year is the fortieth anniversary of one of the most bitter political and industrial conflicts in British history...

Political decisions shape our working lives. Every day, politicians at national and local levels make decisions that affect us all – in the fire and rescue service and beyond Core workplace issues such as health and safety, fairness and equality, pensions, compensation for death or injury, and...

The law dictates that trade unions cannot spend money on political objectives unless this has been approved by a ballot of members The FBU’s political fund is used for political campaigning and to lobby politicians on behalf of our members at Westminster and in the devolved governments, no matter...

The Firefighters 100 Lottery makes possible the FBU’s red plaques commemorating firefighters who have died in the line of duty and its DECON campaign to save lives in the future Dundee firefighters celebrated the lives of two of their own – when red plaques were unveiled in April for the...

FBU members were at the sharp end of things as deadly floods hit the UK once again. Barrie Clement reports Firefighters were seriously overstretched during devastating storms which hit large parts of the UK in October. The weather caused misery to thousands and highlighted the urgent need for far...

Assistant general secretary Ben Selby explains why the union is pushing back against ministers’ plans to deregulate furniture safety The FBU is sounding the alarm over ministers’ proposals to deregulate the furniture regulations, revoking longstanding mandatory tests to be replaced by so far unseen...

Riccardo la Torre outlines the latest with breathing apparatus policy, and how the Health and Safety Executive is letting firefighters down Firefighters face one of the biggest threats to health and safety in decades. Under proposals from the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC), now imposed by some...

FBU general secretary Matt Wrack outlines why now is the time for firefighters to lobby politicians for decent funding, and how they can do it The next few weeks will be pivotal for the immediate future of our service, especially on funding, and every member has a role to play. On 1 November, we...

Dave Turner, former firefighter and FBU North-East regional chair, plays a key role in the latest Ken Loach film. He spoke to Steve Morgan “It was the best job in the world,” says Dave Turner. “I worked with some of the best people you’d ever work with in your life.” It will come as no surprise to...

Each autumn, delegates from the FBU attend the conferences of the Trades Union Congress (TUC), Labour party and others to put forward our case. Firefighter takes you through some of the highlights Winning a sustainable future for the fire and rescue service – and decent pay and conditions for...