Gen Sec comment

You may not be interested in politics, but politics is interested in you POLITICAL FUND – VOTE YES Since 2010, the Westminster government has pursued a ruthless attack on workers and the services they rely on. NHS waiting lists have tripled in a decade. Local councils have been hammered by cuts. In...

Two days before this magazine went to print, after a wait of more than one year, the Westminster government finally published its plans for the fire and rescue service in England. Because of the FBU’s campaigning work, the government has retreated on many of its most damaging proposals, but dangers...

This autumn, the FBU is launching a new national campaign: The Firefighters’ Manifesto. Although we do not know the precise timing, a general election is rapidly approaching, and it is now overwhelmingly likely that there will be a change of government. In the run-up to these events, it is vital...

While some parts of the UK experienced the wettest July on record, much of continental Europe experienced weeks of dangerously high temperatures, as well as tornadoes, flash floods and hailstones as big as golf balls. Our climate is becoming more chaotic and destructive. Firefighters are on the...

At our annual conference in May, more than 100 delegates came together to debate the FBU’s campaigns and activities for the coming year. It was a lively event, on which we report in detail in this issue. Most prominent was the launch of a new flagship campaign – Equality Matters – to fight for...

Since the publication of the last issue of Firefighter, we have settled our pay dispute. UNITY GETS RESULTS In a two-week ballot leading up to 6 March, 96% of FBU members voted to accept the revised offer on an 83% turnout. We moved our employers repeatedly after the initial 2% offer last summer...

The period since the publication of the last Firefighter has been eventful. BARRY MARTIN The most sobering development is the death of Bro. Barry Martin who died on Friday 27 January following injuries he sustained on 23 January while attending a large fire in the Jenners building in Edinburgh...

Strike action is always a last resort, but we are left with no other option. STRIKE BALLOT By the time you are reading this, you should have received a ballot paper in the post to your home address. This is undeniably a historic moment. If a national strike were to take place, it would be the first...

Vote ‘Reject’ to 5% PAY For the last couple of months, I’ve been on the road, meeting and talking to members as part of the pay campaign. Up and down the country, members have told me loud and clear that they have had enough. Enough of pay cuts, enough of being insulted by this government, and...

July saw the hottest temperature ever recorded in the UK and, as a result, a huge strain on all members who worked tirelessly dealing with major incidents across much of the country. Heatwave The FBU has warned for years that the impact of climate change is and will be acutely felt by the fire and...