Anti-strike law: Minimum service levels for fire and rescue services in England
Union leader slams "attempt to ban strike action" in fire and rescue
Responding to the government announcing minimum service levels for the fire and rescue service yesterday, Fire Brigades Union general secretary Matt Wrack said: The Conservative government has announced regulations that amount to a draconian attempt to ban strike action in the fire and rescue...
Firefighters’ union responds to “authoritarian” minimum service levels for fire and rescue
The government has today announced Minimum Service Levels regulations for the fire and rescue sector. Employers will be able to impose ‘work notices' to make staff come in on strike days. The announcement states that during any strike, fire and rescue services (FRSs) will be expected to crew 73% of...
Fire union warns of “criminal complacency” after Wembley cladding fire
At least 125 firefighters and 20 fire engines were called to a cladding fire in Wembley yesterday, 29 January. Matt Wrack, Fire Brigades Union general secretary, said: "Firefighters have once again been called to cladding fire which could have resulted in tragedy. “The Fire Brigades Union warned of...
Firefighters call for government to fund emergency flood response in wake of Storm Henk
The Fire Brigades Union is calling for urgent resources for the fire service in the wake of flooding caused by Storm Henk. Large areas of England have been left devastated by widespread flooding, with firefighters responding to emergency calls, performing rescues and evacuations. Nottinghamshire...
Chaotic, callous and negligent
The inquiry into the government’s handling of the Covid-19 pandemic has exposed a series of failings that led to the UK being inadequately prepared to deal with the scale of the crisis While key workers including firefighters continued to keep their communities safe, the inquiry has heard that those...
‘Listen to firefighters’ FBU tells government
More than a year after initial consultation on its white paper for the fire and rescue service in England, the Westminster government has published its plans. Many of the most damaging proposals have been dropped including scrapping collective bargaining and firefighters taking an “oath”. Also gone...
Union stands up for furniture safety
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...
Tell it to your MP
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...
Now is the time to make your voice heard
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...
