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While the FBU’s own strike action has been put on hold pending the outcome of a ballot on the revised pay offer, disputes in other sectors have been escalating. (photo credit Paul Box/Report Digital) National disputes are currently live in rail, mail, health, schools, higher education and the civil...

The FBU, with other public service unions as interested parties, recently took the government to court yet again over its 2013 public service pensions changes. Part of the judicial review case was that the government has, without parliamentary oversight, attempted to shift to members of pension...

Firefighters from across the UK, many of them FBU members, were deployed to assist rescue operations as part of UK International Search and Rescue (UKISAR) after a devastating earthquake struck southern and central Turkey, as well as northern and western Syria on 6 February. Tracy Doyle, FBU LGBT+...

Merseyside FBU members are taking action short of strike in response to staffing issues. They are refusing to undertake pre-arranged overtime for up to six months; 88% of members voted for the action on an 82% turnout. It is in response to a reduction in night-time staffing numbers in control, new...

FBU member Barry Martin died on Friday 27 January from injuries he sustained while attending a major fire at the former department store Jenners in Edinburgh. His death shocked and saddened the firefighting community. A minute’s silence was held for him at 11am on Monday 13 February across the UK...

The FBU has expressed disappointment with the most recent State of Fire and Rescue annual report, which, it said, continues an “ill-judged commitment” to the white paper Reforming Our Fire and Rescue Service, published by the Home Office in May last year. The report by the new chief inspector of His...

FBU members are voting on strike action after a resounding rejection of the “derisory” 5% pay offer. On a 78% turn out 79% voted to reject. The ballot on strike action will close on Monday 30 January. The FBU’s executive council is recommending a vote in favour of strike action. Matt Wrack, FBU...

Giving evidence to the Westminster Parliament’s home affairs select committee, FBU general secretary Matt Wrack refuted claims that the union had obstructed the response to Covid. In fact, he said, FBU members had made a significant contribution to it. “The one thing that possibly brings home in the...

As a result of legal action brought by the FBU, nearly 9,000 firefighters are set to receive government compensation of at least £3,750 for the stress and worry they suffered as a result of the 2015 pension changes. Claimants with “additional reasons for being aggrieved” are set to receive £7,250 in...

There is no place for racism and misogyny in the fire and rescue service, the FBU said following publication of a review which found that London Fire Brigade (LFB) is “institutionally misogynist and racist”. It also pointed out that the union has been campaigning on and raising with senior...