Today, 24th July 2023, Merseyside Fire Brigades Union Members will begin voting in a new ballot for industrial action, following six months of action short of strike. (1)
This is the latest action in an ongoing dispute with Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service, in relation to “attacks on terms and conditions” and a reduction in night-time staffing numbers in fire control. (2)
Merseyside FBU members outside of fire control will vote on whether to stop undertaking pre-arranging overtime, while members working within fire control will vote on taking discontinuous strike action. (3)
Merseyside Fire Brigade Union members will cast their votes until the ballot closes on Monday 21st August 2023. If a yes vote is returned, action will commence no sooner than Monday 4th September 2023 and could last for a period of up to 6 months.
Matt Wrack, Fire Brigades Union general secretary, said:
Our members in Merseyside are fighting to be heard by an employer who has stubbornly refused to listen.
Firefighters have negotiated our terms and conditions nationally. It is an outrage that Merseyside fire service employers are attempting to silence firefighters while they undermine the agreed working conditions in the service.
Frontline firefighters and control staff deserve to be treated with respect. Instead, they are facing ruthless and unjust attacks.
Firefighters across the whole country stand shoulder to shoulder with Merseyside firefighters and control staff as they vote on their next steps in this dispute.”
Ian Hibbert, Fire Brigades Union Merseyside brigade secretary, said:
Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service’s continued refusal to abide by locally and nationally agreed negotiation procedures has left Merseyside FBU members with little choice but to once again ballot for local industrial action.
FBU members do not take industrial action lightly, but we cannot stand by as our nationally agreed terms and conditions of service are attacked and eroded.
All we are asking is that our employer honours our nationally agreed terms and conditions of service, instead of seeking to cut the Fire Brigades Union out of conversations entirely.
The choice for Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service is simple, listen to the concerns of FBU members or face potential further, and in some cases escalating, industrial action.
NOTES
For more information, comment or interviews please contact Merseyside FBU Brigade Secretary Ian Hibbert on 07966 722784 or [email protected]. Alternatively contact [email protected] or call 07801 047610.
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FBU Merseyside members refused to undertake pre-arranged overtime from December 2022 to May 2023
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The issues which have led to the ballot are:
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The imposed reduction in night-time staffing numbers in Merseyside Fire Control Room from the agreed level of 6 to 5
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The introduction of new duty shift systems - without negotiation - which essentially require new firefighters and firefighters Control to work both wholetime and retained, and breach nationally agreed terms and conditions in relation to overtime rates of pay
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Apprentices being required to attend the workplace outside of core hours to undertake training sessions, assessments, charity days and exams
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The non-agreed expansion of the firefighter role in contracts for all new entrants
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The FBU is proud to represent staff members working in control: the teams who answer calls from those who need the fire and rescue service and make sure firefighters and engines get to the right place.
