Dear Brother / Sister
Our service, our rights, our pay, and our conditions: letter to Prime Minister
Delegates from across our union met (online) recently at a special conference to discuss key challenges facing our members and our service, the most immediate being the threat from central government to our collective rights, pay and conditions and how our service is governed.
We are aware that the Westminster government is currently preparing a consultative White Paper regarding fire and rescue service governance and related matters. We do not know the proposals which will finally emerge but we are aware that they may cover:
- The role of Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs), including the possible mandatory transfer of fire service governance to (re-titled) Police, Fire and Crime Commissioners (PFCCs).
- So called ‘operational independence’ for Chief Fire Officers.
- An attack on the pay, terms and conditions of firefighters by undermining or scrapping our rights to collective bargaining at the National Joint Council (NJC).
In response to the current situation and following the debate at our conference, we have written to the Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, and other ministers setting out our position. I attach a copy of this letter.
Please bring this to the attention of all members.
Yours in unity
Matt Wrack
General Secretary
