Every year hundreds of delegates, elected from FBU brigades across the UK, travel to the union’s annual conference to democratically decide the union’s priorities, policies, and rules.
Firefighter reports on the main decisions and debates from the conference floor in Blackpool’s Imperial hotel this year.
PAY
On the Monday before conference began, the results of the pay ballot came in: 82% voted in favour of accepting a 3.2% pay offer on a 59% turnout.
This offer came with a commitment to ongoing negotiations on pay progression.
The fire and rescue service has the flattest pay structure in the public sector, with firefighters often pushed to perform duties outside of the agreed role.
Raising this from the podium, general secretary Steve Wright warned employers that “if you want firefighters to do additional duties you pay them, you train them, you implement nationally agreed standards”, and that negotiations must progress from the 5 June this year.
FUND OUR FIRE AND RESCUE SERVICE
The urgent need for investment in the fire and rescue service has been top of the agenda since the loss of 1 in 5 firefighter jobs to cuts, and - with the government making yet another real terms cut to budgets - this year was no exception.
To face the emerging risks of the climate emergency, the building safety crisis, and an ageing population, the service must be properly funded.
As a result of the FBU’s parliamentary work, Labour pledged to “improve resilience and preparation” in their election manifesto.
Conference resolved to demand this sustained investment by working with FBU members everywhere to lobby Westminster, all the devolved UK governments, and politicians and employers at every level.
STOP THE FAR RIGHT
A wave of far-right politics is currently sweeping the world, threatening the role of trade unions and democracy.
Conference resolved to counter the millionaires and private business interests pushing this divisive agenda, by standing with the trade union movement on the streets and in communities.
SAFETY FIRST
Health and safety took central stage as a key priority for the union’s activities, with the FBU committed to pushing for preventative measures to keep firefighters and fire control staff safe at work: including protections from contaminants, forever chemicals, and addressing the mental health crisis in the service.
WORKPLACE ORGANISING
Reps form the backbone of the union, and every fire station and control room needs a trained FBU rep ready to build effective branches, support members and campaigns, and fight for equality in the workplace.
A renewed organising strategy has been launched, with the aim of building power and empowering members’ campaigns against cuts, attacks on terms and conditions and more.
FIRE MINISTER
Fire minister Alex Norris MP addressed the hall of two hundred firefighter delegates: the first time a fire minister has braved an FBU annual conference in 17 years.
Pledging to heed the voice of firefighters in parliament, he told the hall that he has heard the FBU’s demands for funding and rebuilding the service: stating that “not changing is not an option. We will work with you in the room”.
He also referenced the need for “critical conversations” around health and safety and the fact that “funding underpins all of this”, before speaking with national officials about the need for pensions justice.
LABOUR AFFILIATION
Delegates discussed the union’s political affiliation, which currently links the FBU to the Labour Party. The union first affiliated in 1926, disaffiliating under the Blair government in 2004, before reaffiliating under Corbyn in 2015.
Following a debate where some speakers highlighted Labour’s cuts to benefits and continuation of austerity, others made the case that the union should continue to use the connection to the government to push for rebuilding the service.
The debate concluded with speakers warning that Labour is on notice, with one more year to make good on manifesto commitments on national standards for fire and rescue services, funding and pay.
TRANS RIGHTS
A majority of delegates voted in favour of a motion from the FBU LGBT+ section , seconded by the National Women's Committee, calling for “unwavering solidarity with our trans siblings, advocating for safety, dignity and justice for all”. The vote followed an extensive and respectful debate with many speakers from across the union’s equalities sections and regions: calling for support for trans FBU members facing discrimination at work, while some raised the need to continue fighting for all women's rights, education and understanding of the issues.
SOLIDARITY MEDAL
FBU member and former firefighter Jim Malone was awarded an FBU solidarity medal, in recognition of his decades of work in solidarity with the Palestinian people.
As a result of Jim’s organising, FBU Scotland has built connections with firefighters working in challenging in conditions the occupied West Bank of Palestine: sending vital donations including multiple fire appliances, medical aid and firefighting supplies.
