Firefighter July 2010 - Fbu.me.uk

The ‘bloated’ public sectorThe new government hasbeen very clear since theelection that it intendsto make huge cuts topublic expenditure. Weare told the public sectoris “bloated” and inefficient whereas,supposedly, the private sector is “lean”,efficient and wealth creating.It seems logical on one level – wehave huge public debts so we need tocut back. It’s just the same as running ahousehold budget isn’t it?But nothing is ever thatstraightforward. When we look a bitcloser we begin to see what it meansin reality.The value of public servicesThe public sector means the schools ourchildren attend and the hospitals we goto when we are sick. The public sectormeans the support given to our elderlypeople when they are unable to look afterthemselves and need additional care.The public sector means the socialworkers who try to protect childrenvulnerable to violence and abuse.The public sector means the peoplewho clean our streets and take awayour domestic refuse. Of course you can“save” money by reducing collectionsfrom once a week to every fortnight – butthen nobody wants stinking rubbishfestering in the bins for rats to growfat on.Of course there is waste. Toomuch public money has gone toprivate consultants who have comeinto our public services and advisedhow to “improve” them – often withdisastrous results.Too much money has gone to boostthe salaries of those at the very top –while the rest of us are told to tightenFeaturesContents10 CUTS: WE’RE EXPECTED TO PAYGovernment launches the most vicious attackon public services in living memory14 LESSONS FROM SOUTH YORKSHIREHow hard work by FBU members and officialswas rewarded in last year’s strike16 MIND THE GAPFrontline firefighters and control staff are facing paycuts, but the salaries of chief officers are soaringRegulars4 NEWSFire station for sale; FBU learning goes from strengthto strength; London members warn of summer ofstrife; employers delay response on pay5 SOUNDING OFFHelp union keep “unisex” kit database up to date7 NEWS FOCUSMaking the FBU case to MPs8 VIEW FROM THE AERIAL LADDER PLATFORMHealth and safety at chemical fires18 HEALTHThe case for a maximum temperature in workplaces19 LEGAL BEAGLENervous about giving evidence in court; capability reviews20 DAY OFFMeet Adrian Clarke, FBU region 9 secretary andcoach of a girls’ under-14 football team22 PUZZLE PAGEYour chance to win £50 worth of iTunes downloads23 STATION CATThe news they don’t want you to hear24 25-YEAR BADGESANNA GOWTHORPE/PA PHOTOS20Day Off: TrainingNethertonUnited Diamondsunder‐14s14Lessonsfrom SouthYorkshire2 FireFighter July 2010