Dear Brother/Sister,
The FBU Political Fund Ballot: 2 – 29 April 2024
The union will shortly commence a ballot of members to retain the FBU Political Fund. The ballot will commence 2 April and conclude 29 April.
The Westminster government doesn’t like trade unions campaigning effectively and holding them to account on the important issues that affect workers. Previous governments have legislated to make it harder. Under the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992, unions must hold a vote every 10 years asking members whether they can spend money on ‘political objects’ (or whether their ‘political fund’ can continue). The time has now come, as previously in 2014, for the FBU to ballot its members to retain a political fund.
This ballot is about whether firefighters, control room staff and other fire and rescue service employees continue to get a voice in politics through the FBU.
Politics is at the heart of everything the FBU does — and has been for as long as the fire and rescue service has existed. As a public service, politicians decide on our pay, pensions and jobs.
At a local or national level, politicians make crucial decisions affecting our working lives. They set funding, allocate resources and decide how our service is run.
We are also affected by wider political decisions on:
- Health and safety
- Pensions
- Equalities
- Compensation for death or injury
- Employment rights
Without a political fund, much of the FBU’s work would not be possible. Many of the campaigns we’ve fought — and many of the improvements we have achieved — have only been possible because of the political fund.
As the last vote was in 2014, FBU members must vote again.
Make sure your ballot is in the post to arrive by 29 April.
Please read, share and discuss the attached FBU pamphlet.
To make progress, we must renew our Political Fund.
Please vote Yes and encourage all your colleagues to do the same.
Yours in unity,
Matt Wrack
General Secretary
