Equality

40th anniversary of the New Cross fire tragedy

18 Jan, 2021 By Amit Malde

On Sunday, Yvonne Ruddock should have celebrated her 56th birthday. Tragically, she never saw another one beyond her 16th. 40 years ago, Yvonne and her friend Angela Jackson hosted a birthday party at her home at 439 New Cross Road - a well-attended event packed with their friends who had gathered...

Unwavering tenacity – women firefighters in WW2

31 Dec, 2020 By Ella Jane Pollard

Ella Jane Pollard, a firefighter’s daughter, wrote her university degree dissertation on women’s involvement in the British fire service and the Fire Brigades Union between 1939 and 1945. This is an edited extract. The Fireman’s Blitz is a term some across the service might be familiar with...

All Different All Equal

01 Nov, 2020

Fairness and equality - and the right of every worker to be treated with dignity and respect in the workplace - are at the very heart of what the trade union movement stands for. They are central to the work of the Fire Brigades Union. That is why our Fairness at Work policy is so important to us.

Election of black and ethnic minority members' national sectional chair

19 Oct, 2020

Circular ref

2020HOC0557MW

Dear Brother/Sister ELECTION OF BLACK AND ETHNIC MINORITY MEMBERS’ NATIONAL SECTIONAL CHAIR I wish to advise you, in accordance with the Rules of the Union, that the Executive Council has decided to...

FBU puts Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue “on notice” to tackle racism in the service

16 Oct, 2020 By Anna Zych

• Statement on tackling racism welcomed, but “words are not enough”, the FBU says • Union pledges to hold service to account for “immediate, effective and fundamental change” Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service has agreed to take a “zero-tolerance” approach to racism and committed to dismantling...

Black History Month George Arthur Roberts pioneering FBU member

A fighter of wars, fires and prejudice

08 Oct, 2020 By Tam McFarlane

October is Black History Month, a time in which people come together to celebrate the incredible contribution of people from the black community and to reflect on our shared history. These extracts from FBU history record the life of one notable black firefighter, George Arthur Roberts, a pioneering...

Black Lives Matter

01 Oct, 2020 By Joseph Mendy

Black Lives Matter has been raising awareness of the unacceptable treatment of black people. Born in the United States in response to endemic police brutality, it has attracted support across the globe including at home here in the UK. As representatives of the FBU’s black and ethnic minority...

I can't breathe

11 Jun, 2020 By Joseph Mendy

How many times have we had these chilling last words from innocent black victims? Desperately gasping for air, before dying at the hands of another. Perpetuated by the individuals and very institutions that are ‘sworn to protect’. For eight minutes and 46 seconds George Floyd and bystanders pleaded...

Sexual orientation discrimination: your legal protections

13 Feb, 2020 By Thompsons Solicitors

Despite the great strides that have been taken over several decades, discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) workers remains an entrenched and very much a live issue for many in the workplace. The results of a survey of over 100,000 LGBT people in the UK that was...

The union's LGBT+ school

04 Feb, 2020 By Gemma Wright

For me, the highlight of the FBU LGBT+ school is always the guest speakers that attend. Relevant, informative and often moving, the talks demonstrate the past present and future importance of our section and the work it does. This year’s school opened with Jezza Donovan from the charity Gendered...

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