National Retained Committee

FBU reaction to Warwickshire arrests

FBU general secretary Matt Wrack said: “If that terrible fire was started deliberately then the whole community and firefighters everywhere will want to see those responsible punished. Arson is a very dangerous crime. We welcome any progress the police are making, but strongly caution against prejudging any of those arrested. Everyone has the right to a fair trial and proper legal process.

“The union is also aware that the Health and Safety Executive is conducting a joint investigation with the police. Firefighters must have safe systems of work in place no matter what caused the fire and we await the result of that investigation.

“A fire which may be started deliberately is tackled in the same way as a fire started accidently. We often don’t know the causes of a fire for many months or even years afterwards."

Working Time Directive

FBU members will be aware that for some time now there has been much ill-considered propaganda being peddled concerning the Working Time Directive, following the amendments agreed by the European Parliament on 17 December 2008.

Some insignificant organisations who operate on the fringe of the Fire and Rescue Service, have been lining up with an unlikely mixture of political bed-fellows - Fire and Rescue Authorities (FRAs); Westminster government departments, ministers and opposition MPs - on the issue.

It is of note that many of those FRAs are among the most hostile to firefighters of all roles (ranks) and duty systems, many of whom have implemented cuts and attacks. And it is of note that the Ministers and Departments in question have been responsible for insisting on cuts to the Fire and Rescue Service, and holding back progressive measures for fire and rescue.

Those opposition MPs are on record a stating that if their party forms the next Government they will insist on deeper cuts in public expenditure (which will include the Fire and Rescue Service) and push through savage attacks on public sector pension schemes

Rather than line-up with these politicians or engage in scare-mongering, the FBU has been working without ceremony through recognised structures, working with our lawyers and speaking to key players in the UK and Europe to ensure the interests of firefighters of all roles (ranks) and duty systems and the Fire and Rescue Service itself.

The discussions in Europe between the European Commission and the European Parliament have now concluded. These talks, conducted through the Conciliation Committee (made up of representatives of both the Commission and the Parliament), resulted with no agreement on changes being reached. The current directive therefore remains in force and there will be no changes to current arrangements.

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