Campaign

WRITE TO YOUR MP

Don't burn firefighters' rights

I am writing in support of my local firefighters and their union, the Fire Brigades Union (FBU), which is the democratic, professional voice of firefighters and other workers within fire and rescue services across the UK.

On 18 May 2022, the Home Office launched a white paper on the fire and rescue service. While this applies directly only to services in England, it has much wider implications for firefighters and the public.

This white paper is not a serious plan for improving the fire and rescue service. It is a direct attack on firefighters’ rights as workers.

Central to this attack is a review of pay, with proposals to undermine collective bargaining. If the government gets their way, the voice of firefighters and emergency fire control operators in their pay, conditions and service will be significantly weakened and I urge you to oppose this measure.

The paper implies that public safety is put at risk when firefighters go on strike. It is central government and fire employers’ attacks on firefighters pay, pensions and cuts to central funding that puts us at greater risk. It is their poor decisions that are the underlying cause of disputes. Firefighters’ ability to withdraw their labour, like all public sector workers, is a right that must be protected.

The document also suggests that Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) could take over more fire services, weakening local communities’ say in how their service is run.

I firmly believe that the fire and rescue service must be maintained as a stand-alone emergency service and that the neutrality of firefighters in the eyes of the public should not be compromised by allowing the police to take them over. A PCC takeover would be a real threat to public safety.

As my Member of Parliament, I ask you to:

*   Use your voice to ensure firefighters’ voices are listened to and that our fire and rescue service is protected
*   Take a stand and not allow ministers to bulldoze firefighters’ and FBU members’ hard-fought terms and conditions
*   Oppose these reforms and support firefighters and the FBU in protecting their members and ensuring that public safety is not compromised
*   Meet with your local and regional FBU officials to discuss the white paper and its damaging implications.
*   Firefighters are ready to stand up, speak up and defend our say in our service. I ask that you stand with them.