Fire Brigades Union opens strike ballot

by Featured News

The Fire Brigades Union strike ballot for firefighters and control staff has opened today (Monday 5th December) and will remain open until January 30th. The ballot will be a postal ballot only.

Firefighters and control staff are being balloted on potential strike action on a “derisory” 5% pay offer. That pay offer had recently been rejected by FBU members in a consultative ballot by 79% on a 78% turnout.

If you haven’t received your ballot paper by 19 December you should contact MembershipServices@fbu.org.uk with your name, membership number (if you have it), home address and workplace.

Matt Wrack, Fire Brigades Union general secretary, said: “Strike action will always be a last resort. But we are running out of options. Many firefighters and control staff are desperate. Some are struggling to afford for they and their families to live. It is a dreadful and very serious state of affairs. We are doing everything we can to secure a decent offer. We have held talks with and written letters to many different parties. But no such pay offer has been forthcoming.

“It is the responsibility of fire service employers and governments to pay their staff properly. That is part of their responsibility of running the fire and rescue service. We look forward to receiving a pay offer from them that addresses the cost of living crisis firefighters and control staff are living through. We have been mandated by our members to fight for pay that they can live on and will do that.”

If a national strike were to take place, it would be the first national strike since pension action between 2013 and 2015 (which did not include control), and the first on pay since 2002-2003. The ballot closes on 30 January, but members are encouraged but the FBU is encouraging members to send in their ballots due to the impacts of strikes in Royal Mail.

London Fire Brigade Independent Culture Review: Commissioner announces immediate action

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London Fire Brigade has published the outcome report of an Independent Culture Review, led by Nazir Afzal OBE, which was commissioned last year by the Commissioner, with the support of the Mayor. Nazir and his team heard the experiences of over 2,000 current and former staff, and the public, including members of the Grenfell community. The report contains accounts of poor behaviour and painful experiences over many years.

Despite work by the Brigade to improve equality, diversity and inclusion, the report reveals that in the Brigade’s processes which means women, Black, Asian and minority ethnic people and members of the LGBT+ community have been more likely to experience poor treatment and do less well in their career.

The report also confirms that the disadvantage and discrimination that affects Brigade staff does not translate into its operations and does not impact on the way the Brigade prevents and responds to incidents.

The Commissioner has announced immediate action in response to the testimonies, analysis and recommendations from the review, as part of a long-term programme to improve the Brigade’s culture.

London Fire Commissioner Andy Roe said: “Today is a very sobering day. There is no place for discrimination, harassment and bullying in the Brigade and from today it will be completely clear to all staff what behaviour isn’t acceptable and what the consequences will be.
 
“I am deeply sorry for the harm that has been caused. I will be fully accountable for improving our culture and I fully accept all of the 23 recommendations.”

Fire Brigade’s Union comment

Gareth Cook, Fire Brigades Union regional organiser for London, said: “The LFB report makes for difficult reading. The reported incidents of racism and misogyny are extremely alarming. There is no place for such behaviour or attitudes within the fire and rescue service or within our trade union. 

“The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) includes organised sections for black and ethnic minority members, for women members and for LGBT members. These sections were created because of discrimination, harassment and inequality within our industry and our union. We will ensure our equality sections are fully involved in any fuller response to this LFB report. 

“The FBU has policies in place to address issues of discrimination and harassment. This can include (after due process) the removal of representation from individuals accused of such acts. It can also include disciplinary processes through the FBU itself. Both of these have been implemented in such cases in the recent past. We shall review the effectiveness of our rules and policies in the light of issues raised and of issues we have identified ourselves. 

“The FBU, along with other trade unions, is already engaged in major work on the issue of sexual harassment. This includes issues in the workplace and also, if identified, within our own organisation. We have been working with the TUC and with the FBU womens’,section on this for some time and will bring forward changes to policies and structures as required.

“There are elements of this report which confirm concerns raised by the Fire Brigades Union over many years. There are also elements of the report which will cause considerable concern and alarm. We will need to study those areas carefully and respond more fully.

“The review highlights that morale and engagement in London Fire Brigade are low – 40% are frustrated in their job. Staff shortages, poor workforce planning, no leave availability, poor work-life balance and low recognition are cited. The review also finds there is a need for increased trauma specialism and mental health awareness. For us these findings of poor morale and a need for better mental health structures are highly linked.

“The review also acknowledges the pay restraints placed on our members through years of pay neglect. 

“The review has found that staff fear the consequences of speaking out as they fear the repercussions. That is entirely unacceptable and must change.”

Our rules and policies require every FBU member to treat others with dignity and respect and to challenge offensive behaviour of any kind. The union is committed to equality. We campaign against all discrimination by gender, race or ethnicity, sexuality, age, disability and religion or belief. We have a long record of campaigning on such issues.

However, we have raised concerns about many of the issues contained within this report historically and as a consequence we remain sceptical about the changes senior leaders will implement with regards to their own behaviours.

The London region of the FBU is committed to working to address these serious concerns. We aim to improve the working conditions of our members and protect them from discrimination and unfair or illegal treatment by representing them in the workplace. We are committed to building strong relationships between firefighters and local communities in all their diversity.

We have only very recently received this report and will continue to review it, as we look to build a full and detailed understanding of it.”

National Fire Chiefs Council comment

Mark Hardingham, Chair of the National Fire Chiefs Council said: “The NFCC is committed to supporting all aspects of the development of UK fire and rescue services, including culture and professionalism. The Independent Culture Review of London Fire Brigade contains disturbing and difficult information. We support LFB for recognising the need and commissioning this work as a positive step on a long, difficult but vitally important journey.

“We need to take the time to consider the report in full, but clearly the findings are wholly unacceptable of an inclusive, modern, blue light emergency service. I am clear that there is no place for harassment, bullying or discrimination in any fire and rescue service.

“I know that LFB has already accepted the recommendations in full – and, as they have communicated, will be taking immediate action in response, whilst also ensuring the long-term consideration of the cultural findings.

“We will be studying the report and its recommendations carefully and considering them in the context of every fire and rescue service in the UK. We have a clear Core Code of Ethics and equality, diversity and inclusion are woven throughout the standards, products and guidance we provide for fire and rescue services and will be redoubling these efforts. This will include looking at each of the report recommendations to consider how they will influence the future work of the NFCC.”

The NFCC added that it wished to highlight some of the national products available to support the fire sector, developed in collaboration with UK fire and rescue services, through the NFCC People and Leadership Programmes. This information can be found here.

FBU unveils plaques for fallen firefighters

by Featured News

The Fire Brigades Union has unveiled two new plaques as part of its Red Plaque Scheme which commemorates firefighters who lost their lives in the line of duty.

Alexander Drummond

A plaque has been unveiled for a Scottish firefighter who died in the line of duty, on the 44th anniversary of his death.

On the 29th of October 1978 Firefighter Alexander (Sandy) Drummond of Inveraray Fire Station lost his life fighting a fire which badly damaged the Crinan Hotel in Argyll.

As well as serving as a firefighter Mr Drummond was a former town and county councillor and magistrate, being described as a “noted member of the community” in The Oban Times at the time of his death. The unveiling ceremony was held on Saturday the 29th of October 2022 at Inverary Fire Station, where the plaque is now situated.  

The ceremony included speeches from FBU senior officials and Scottish Fire and Rescue Service senior officers, with an FBU piper and SFRS Heritage group vehicles also in attendance.

John Hunt

A plaque was been unveiled for a Sale firefighter who died in the line of duty in 1909. Superintendent John Johnson Hunt, aged 65, was fighting a fire at the Brooklands Hotel in Sale when a portion of the roof fell on him. He later passed away as a result of his injuries.

His funeral and funeral procession were attended by “thousands” according to the Sale Guardian at the time. The plaque was unveiled at the site where he died, which is now an office building owned by Bruntwood, on Friday 24 October. A wreath was laid at Mr Hunt’s grave in Brooklands Cemetery following the unveiling.

Mr Hunt was an experienced and well-respected firefighter, having had a 40-year fire service career in both Manchester and then Sale, and received several awards. He had trained several company in-house fire brigades and advised on the establishment of a new brigade.

His career was also marked by bravery and near-misses. One instance in 1885 involved him saving a fellow firefighter’s life by crawling along a sixth-floor parapet in dense smoke, an incident which saw him receive several awards and have a song written for him.

The Red Plaque Scheme is fully funded by proceeds from the weekly Firefighters 100 Lottery which has been able to create several Plaques each year since it began in 2017.

Matt Wrack, Fire Brigades Union general secretary, said: “No firefighter who gives their life in the line of duty will ever be forgotten, no matter how long ago they died. Making sure that every firefighter is remembered has huge importance for firefighters and their families. It helps our communities understand the huge sacrifices firefighters make and the risks they face. It helps firefighters feel connected to the long line of people who have been before them.

(Photo Credit: FBU and Gavin Brown)

Fire Brigades Union unveils plaque for Frederick Charles Willoughby

by Featured NewsPeople

A plaque has been unveiled for a firefighter who was killed in the line of duty. Leading Firefighter Frederick Charles Willoughby, of Twickenham, was overcome by fumes whilst fighting a four-hour fire in the basement of the Royal Palace Hotel in Kensington, London, on February 22nd 1956. He died in an ambulance on the way to hospital.

Commenting, Liz Acris, Mr Willoughby’s niece, said: “I never got the chance to meet my uncle Frederick Willoughby. His death in the line of duty, protecting his community, meant I only know him through stories told to me by my Auntie Edna. But through her I understand how brave he was, and how he had a tremendous sense of duty. This plaque will help keep his memory alive for future generations to come. It is important that history is present in the spaces where it was lived, and this will help with that.”

Newspapers from the time report that Mr Willoughby is believed to have become lost and was then suffocated, even though he was wearing breathing apparatus.

At the inquest the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) raised questions around the breathing apparatus used, and the union asked the Home Office to seek ways of improving breathing apparatus following the death.

The Fire Brigades Union is still campaigning around breathing apparatus. It is fighting a fire service proposal to have firefighters go into some fires without their breathing apparatus switched on.

Willoughby served in the Marines during World War 2, and was decorated for gallantry and devotion to duty in operations in Norway. This included volunteering to remove ammunition from a dangerous area during the last moments of an evacuation, according to the recommendation for the award.

Members of Mr Willoughby’s family flew in from Gibraltar to attend the plaque unveiling, with his niece Liz Acris speaking at it.

The plaque has been unveiled around 100 metres away from where the hotel stood, at Kensington Fire Station, and is a Red Plaque. The Red Plaque scheme aims to memorialise firefighters who have died in the line of duty and is administered by the Fire Brigades Union.

David Shek, FBU executive council member for London, said: “Every firefighter that dies in the line of duty deserves to be remembered. The London firefighting community will always make sure that people it has lost will never be forgotten. The FBU is proud to be a part of remembering Mr Willoughby and his sacrifice. The placing of this plaque will ensure that future generations of firefighters are aware of this history.”

Tam McFarlane, FBU national officer, said: “The Fire Brigades Union will always remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice. The bravery and courage of firefighters is something that should always be highlighted. Red plaques make sure that these vital parts of history are never forgotten, no matter how much time has passed. Sacrifices of yesteryear still retain a huge poignancy and importance for firefighters.”

The Red Plaque scheme is one of a number of projects funded by the FBU’s Firefighter 100 lottery.

The money raised by the lottery is supplemented by money from the FBU itself. The Firefighter 100 lottery the can be entered by anyone who wishes to help by using www.firefighters100lottery.co.uk.

Picture credit: Fire Brigades Union

Fire Brigades Union’s Executive Council unanimously rejects 2% pay increase

by Featured News

The Executive Council of the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) has voted unanimously to reject the 2% pay offer. The employers will now be informed of this.

The Council met yesterday to consider the results of discussions with FBU members on the employers’ proposed increase in pay.

It agreed that plans should be urgently prepared to develop our campaign for decent pay, including the need to prepare for strike action. All FBU members are asked to fully participate in such discussions; all voices need to be heard. 

The FBU’s statement said: “Firefighters have never taken industrial action lightly but nor can we allow this pay insult to pass without challenge. The employers’ proposal would mean a further cut to our real wages and further hardship for our members and their families. That is unacceptable in the face of the cost of living crisis.”

When the pay increase was proposed last month, Matt Wrack, FBU general secretary said: “This is utterly inadequate and would deliver a further cut in real wages to firefighters in all roles in the midst of the cost of living crisis. This latest insulting proposal follows 12 years of government-imposed reductions in real wages.”

Government’s fire and rescue whitepaper an ‘attack on pay and conditions’

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The Fire Brigades Union has formally responded to the government’s fire and rescue white paper, describing it as a coordinated attack on pay and conditions.

In its consultation response submission the union criticised a range of elements to what it termed “a coordinated attack on firefighters’ pay and conditions and the fire and rescue service, in the middle of a cost of living crisis”.

It said these elements include an attack on firefighters’ right to have a say on their pay and conditions, including many conditions relating to safety and proposals that could result in industrial action – a last resort to protect the fire service and firefighters’ pay and conditions – being weakened or undermined.   

The FBU claimed that the white paper’s attacks on the fire and rescue service more broadly comes in the form of a lack of any direct plans or resources to improve the service the public receives, together with plans to boost chief fire officer powers, including over areas that have a direct effect on the service the public receives such as reducing the number of firefighters, how quickly fires are responded to, reducing night cover and shift systems.

Next week firefighters are set to visit parliament in an attempt to persuade MPs to stop the government removing their voice, and to protect their pay and conditions, with many more set to follow during the course of this campaign.

Matt Wrack, general secretary of the Fire Brigades Union, said: “It is absolutely scandalous that the government has launched this coordinated attack on the pay and conditions of hard-working firefighters, and on the fire and rescue service itself. Apparently it is not enough that firefighters, like everyone else, are going through a cost of living crisis ultimately of the government’s making. Instead, the government thinks that now is the right moment to try and strip them of hard-won rights that protect their pay and conditions. We have firefighters struggling to pay bills and pay the mortgage. These changes would only make things worse for them.”

“Firefighters go to work to save lives. They risk their health, safety and sometimes their own lives in doing so. The very least they deserve is to be free from coordinated attacks on their livelihoods and safety, and to be paid properly and treated fairly.

“When it comes to the fire and rescue service itself we are clear. Chief fire officers cannot be trusted to get it right on their own, especially on vital matters such as how quickly we respond to fires and the number of firefighters in each service. Debacles such as chief fire officers standing by whilst deep cuts were made to their services, and wasting millions of pounds of public money on equipment that didn’t work or wasn’t suitable, show that to be the case. More power for them over matters like the number of firefighters, attendance times or night cover will make the public’s fire and rescue service worse – the evidence on that is absolutely clear.”

Fire Brigades Union calls on Government to rethink PEEPs decision

by Building ManagementFeatured NewsIndustry Sectors

The Fire Brigades Union has written to the UK government, asking decision makers to rethink the rejection of a key Grenfell Tower Inquiry recommendation concerning the evacuation of disabled residents of high-rise buildings.

The inquiry recommended that “that the owner and manager of every high-rise residential building be required by law to prepare personal emergency evacuation plans (PEEPs)” for all disabled residents.

In May, however, the government rejected the recommendation and revealed downgraded plans, which has been meet with criticism from both Grenfell campaigners and disability rights campaigners.

In a letter to Lord Greenhalgh dated 6 June 2022, Minister of State for Building Safety, Fire and Communities, Matt Wrack, Fire Brigades Union general secretary wrote that the FBU was ‘disappointed’ with the Westminster government’s decision to downgrade work towards ensuring residents with disabilities are provided with Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans (PEEPs)

The letter read: “The [government] statement claims that implementation would involve significant issues with practicality, proportionality and safety. The FBU argues that resident safety is paramount, so there is a greater safety issue in declining to implement PEEPs. As for proportionality, the Inquiry has found the introduction of PEEPs to be a proportionate strategy, and the FBU agrees.

“Some reasons given for the refusal seem poorly evidenced, for example stating that if a PEEP advised the purchase of an evacuation chair, there would be an “impact on the good relations between disabled residents and non-disabled residents if disproportionate costs were passed on to the latter. Building owners should carry the costs.”

“The government’s decision is a negative, backward step, and the FBU stands with disability campaigners, the Grenfell campaign groups and the LGA in asking you to reconsider.”