Report - Fire Brigades Union

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SECTION G — INTERNAL ADMINISTRATION is essential that individual trade unions start to do more themselves. We therefore call on the FBU, through the executive council, to coordinate an event that this union and its members can be proud of. This event should be organised for IDAHO Day 2012, and be an annual event in the FBU’s calendar with the general secretary taking the lead. REGION 10 RESOLUTION 9 – DEFENDING EQUALITY FOR LGBT MEMBERS Lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans (LGBT) members of the FBU recognise the economic constraints that the union faces as a result of a reduced income at a time our members are under attack and campaigns in defence further add to the financial burden. Under the previous government our members witnessed great advances towards LGBT equality but note that during this period the conservative party consistently opposed such advances. Now that we have a coalition government with the conservatives holding the power LGBT members are fearful of the attacks that are being mounted against equality. Since the general election the new fire minister has sent a clear message that equality in the fire service does not matter and has scrapped the FRS 10 year equality strategy. Not only is this government intent on smashing trade union rights but also has little regard for equality. It is now that our LGBT officials must work hardest to ensure our rights are not eroded. Conference calls on the EC to ensure that any internal financial savings applied do not impact disproportionately on our LGBT officials’ ability to continue to defend our members’ rights. If financial savings must be applied it should be across the board to all officials, all sections and regions in a fair and equal manner. REGION 9 The meeting decided that the three resolutions to be forwarded for consideration for the programme of business for annual conference 2011 would be: Resolution 4 – Equality and diversity strategy Resolution 5 – LGBT School: supporting our members needs Resolution 9 – Defending equality for LGBT members Following debate of the resolutions the following officials were elected and endorsed by the AGM for 2011. Vice chair Alli Burrows Assistant secretary Kevin Gutherson Education rep Yannick Dubois FAW rep Alli Burrows Minutes secretary Kevin Gutherson Health and safety rep Pat Carberry Final appeals rep Pat Carberry FF magazine rep Lucy Masoud Flagship editor Pat Carberry G13 National retained committee report 2010 Pensions case update Negotiations took place throughout 2010 to attempt to reach agreement that would allow retained duty system (RDS) firefighters access into a modified New Firefighters’ Pension Scheme (NFPS) which had the benefits of the Firefighters’ Pension Scheme (FPS). A blueprint of what this scheme will look like is expected early in 2011 following which statutory consultation will take place. In addition to this, conditions of service should have been modified to remove any potential discrimination against RDS firefighters. As part of the settlement a compensation package will also be paid to eligible members for less favourable treatment in respect of sick pay and conditions of service. The paperwork for this is being prepared at the time of writing of this report. RDS recruitment and retention 2010 continued last year’s trend with RDS membership of the Fire Brigades Union showing an increase as a result of the efforts being made across the UK by the FBU national organiser, officials and activists. As well as recruiting members who were not in any trade union, these figures included firefighters who felt that they were better served by the FBU than the organisation they were previously part of. Education and union learning Involvement and participation in regional education has again been positive in 2010. Some courses have been designed to fit around the commitments of RDS members and were specifically run at times and dates chosen to maximise RDS member attendance. Region 8 rep Lyndon Jones highlighted that, because the regional ULF bid had secured further funding till 2011, valuable courses that many RDS members had been involved with could continue. The cuts agenda and RDS Reports to the committee throughout 2010 indicate that 2011 is also likely to be a very busy year for the national retained committee (NRC) given the current economic and political climate. Many fire and rescue services are considering cuts to frontline services with many of these directly affecting RDS members and stations. Already Northern Ireland members and activists are preparing themselves for campaigns to defend cuts that could potentially see the removal of over 20 RDS second pumps, plus equally severe cuts at wholetime stations. Warwickshire fire and rescue authority has recently reintroduced some of the station closures that were avoided last year. In Mid and West Wales reports are emerging that potentially seven RDS stations could be affected as well as changes to shift systems for wholetime crews. In Kent ongoing proposals for the structure of the retained duty system have the potential to remove hundreds of RDS jobs 118 FBU Annual Report 2011
SECTION G — INTERNAL ADMINISTRATION despite assurances to the contrary by principal management. Other reports suggest that many brigades are considering options to reduce RDS posts, appliances and training, making the coming year one that will be extremely busy for all activists and members involved. The NRC has and will continue to support local officials, activists and members in campaigns opposing cuts, station closures, and attempts to introduce worsening conditions. Transfer across duty systems: During 2010 work continued on the ability of RDS members to transfer duty systems. Factors that also had to be considered were the RDS part-time workers case settlement had not yet reached its conclusion and a tribunal on an associated issue in Region 2. NRC reps are reporting that many brigades are still facilitating the transfer of their RDS firefighters to full-time posts using locally agreed processes. G14 National retained committee AGM report 2010 The 2010 retained members’ annual general meeting was held in Birmingham on 28 November. Guest speakers included outgoing president Mick Shaw, national officer Sean Starbuck, FBU organiser Daniel Giblin and executive council member for retained Tam Mitchell. The main subjects covered were RDS pensions, conditions of service, recruitment and activism. AGM attendees raised several issues relevant to the topics discussed and took part in a detailed debate. The following six resolutions were passed at the meeting: Resolution 1: Injury or illness sustained on duty Carried unanimously Region 1 representative Region 2 representative Region 3 representative Region 4 representative Region 5 representative Region 6 representative Region 7 representative Region 8 representative Region 9 representative Region 11 representative Region 12 representative Region 13 representative Position vacant Sean-Paul Bailey Position vacant Position vacant Miles Parkinson Paul Revill Paul Brownhill Lyndon Jones Position vacant Steve Martin Bob Dewis Leigh Redman G15 Officers’ national committee report 2010 During 2010 the officers’ national committee (ONC) held six business meetings at various locations throughout the UK. These coincided with separate FBU fire safety committee meetings held in conjunction with the FBU’s fire safety and IRMP adviser. Four National Joint Council (NJC)/Middle Managers Negotiating Body (MMNB) meetings were attended where members of the ONC are either full members of the MMNB or advisers to it. There was prior liaison with the Fire Officers Association to ensure that a cohesive employee position on issues was achieved. Under the MMNB constitution there are 13 FBU reps and one from FOA. A number of individual officer representatives undertook work for the FBU in various national forums, including technical and political arenas. Additionally, representatives supported brigades and regions by attending local officer and other meetings at locations around the UK. Resolution 2: Cuts to RDS firefighter posts Resolution 3: Duty systems Resolution 4: Fitness training Resolution 5: Education for RDS members Carried unanimously Carried Carried Carried The union’s annual conference in Southport was attended by four officer delegates and three officials who undertook to ensure that officer members were well represented in all aspects. They contributed to many of the debates. The 2010 officer members’ seminar, held at Wortley Hall near Sheffield, was a well attended and worthwhile event, helping to set the agenda for the future. Resolution 7: Training time Carried The three resolutions selected to be taken to annual conference 2011 were resolutions 1, 3 and 7. The FBU national retained committee comprises the following officials and representatives: Executive council member retained National retained committee secretary National retained committee chair Tam Mitchell Pete Preston Harry Cotter G16 Organising and recruitment The FBU recruitment and organising campaign continued in 2010 with some notable successes. The union continued to see the benefits of the work that was produced over this period. The FBU national organiser attended branch meetings in several regions and brigades including South Yorkshire, West Yorkshire, Humberside, North Yorkshire, Hampshire, Fife, Grampian, Surrey, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire. FBU Annual Report 2011 119
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