FBU general secretary Matt Wrack writes to PM over central government threats

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FBU general secretary Matt Wrack has written to Prime Minister Boris Johnson in opposition to his government’s forthcoming attack on firefighters.

In the letter Matt explains that the union is aware “of the likelihood of a White Paper addressing issues within the fire and rescue service”, and that there are concerns around “two specific areas which appear to be under consideration; the role of Police and Crime Commissioners and the issue of collective bargaining within the service”.

With regards to PCCs it is thought that takeovers by them of fire services could be mandated, threatening local democracy and the clear distinction between the police and fire services.

The union believes that collective bargaining is under threat due to a series of government-led inspection reports which heavily criticised current arrangements. However these criticisms came from a small number of chiefs, and are not reflective of the majority of comments from chief fire officers.

The removal of collective bargaining would threaten the pay and conditions of firefighters and control staff in the future, and could even contradict the Brexit agreement.

You can read the letter here.

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FBU general secretary Matt Wrack has written to Prime Minister Boris Johnson in opposition to his government’s forthcoming attack on firefighters.

In the letter Matt explains that the union is aware “of the likelihood of a White Paper addressing issues within the fire and rescue service”, and that there are concerns around “two specific areas which appear to be under consideration; the role of Police and Crime Commissioners and the issue of collective bargaining within the service”.

With regards to PCCs it is thought that takeovers by them of fire services could be mandated, threatening local democracy and the clear distinction between the police and fire services.

The union believes that collective bargaining is under threat due to a series of government-led inspection reports which heavily criticised current arrangements. However these criticisms came from a small number of chiefs, and are not reflective of the majority of comments from chief fire officers.

The removal of collective bargaining would threaten the pay and conditions of firefighters and control staff in the future, and could even contradict the Brexit agreement.

You can read the letter here.

I think we can all guess what Johnson will do with this letter.
Quite frankly with his Tory mindset, all this will do is validate in his mind exactly what he proposes to do. Reading that letter makes me feel that MW is almost begging for crumbs at the table, powerless to prevent what may be coming down the line.
Changed days from my time for the fire brigades union. No mention whatsoever what he and his members propose to do, in order to fight these damaging changes.

[Royboy]

FBU general secretary Matt Wrack has written to Prime Minister Boris Johnson in opposition to his government’s forthcoming attack on firefighters.

In the letter Matt explains that the union is aware “of the likelihood of a White Paper addressing issues within the fire and rescue service”, and that there are concerns around “two specific areas which appear to be under consideration; the role of Police and Crime Commissioners and the issue of collective bargaining within the service”.

With regards to PCCs it is thought that takeovers by them of fire services could be mandated, threatening local democracy and the clear distinction between the police and fire services.

The union believes that collective bargaining is under threat due to a series of government-led inspection reports which heavily criticised current arrangements. However these criticisms came from a small number of chiefs, and are not reflective of the majority of comments from chief fire officers.

The removal of collective bargaining would threaten the pay and conditions of firefighters and control staff in the future, and could even contradict the Brexit agreement.
You can read the letter here.

Chief fire officers do need more autonomy to meet the needs of their communities. For example to mandate EMS. One size does not suit all.

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Chief fire officers do need more autonomy to meet the needs of their communities. For example to mandate EMS. One size does not suit all.

Since 2002 there have been attacks on the fire service. Your COS have changed to such a point that it’s barely recognisable from my time. Your wages have fallen by around 20-25% against inflation, your pensions have been devalued, and using the employment act of 1982 which has been strengthened by successive governments they have sought to divide and conquer.

You have a situation were the leader of what was once a strong and proud trade union sending what amounts to a begging letter to a Tory PM asking him to be kind and gentle with his members.

Now the final straw the removal of collective bargaining by giving chief officers more power to dictate as they see fit how they run their brigades. One size may not fit all, and if you could have faith in fair treatment from these chief officers possibly it could be productive and offer members a fair deal. But sadly whilst members immerse themselves with the rights and the wrongs of this, the Tories and the chief officers will be immersing themselves in what they can save, how they can cut you further to the bone, sadly from what I have seen and read on here, that is the stark reality. You know what they say Turkeys don’t vote for Christmas, or at least they should not.