Letter to Fire Service Employers – commitment not to issue work notices
Dear Brother/Sister,
The Strikes (Minimum Service Levels) Act became law in July 2023, and Westminster is currently debating the Regulations which would make the legislation operative in fire and rescue services in England.
Under them, 73% of appliances will be expected to be on the run on a strike day, and control rooms will be expected to operate as if it was a non-strike day. This is an attempt to ban legal and effective strike action in the fire and rescue service.
The Regulations apply only in England. The Scottish and Welsh governments have both stated that they will not introduce Regulations to make it operable, while the legislation does not apply to Northern Ireland.
It will be down to individual fire service employers to issue work notices under the Act, and it is essential that maximum pressure is applied on them not to do so. Any attempt to implement the new law will irreparably damage industrial relations within the fire and rescue service. It may also create serious hazards to public safety, with employers attempting to keep 73% of appliances on the run without a minimum level of staff.
To this end, the FBU has today written to all fire service employers in England asking for a clear statement that they will not issue work notices against named employees.
The FBU has played a leading role in opposing the anti-union laws, and we will continue to do so via all means at our disposal.
Yours in unity,
Matt Wrack
FBU General Secretary
