Firefighters from across Gloucestershire have gathered at a mass meeting in opposition to the county council forcing through “unjustifiable” changes to their working hours.
70 firefighters attended a meeting called by the Fire Brigades Union at Gloucester North fire station yesterday, voting to oppose the imposed changes to shift patterns. Firefighters say that these will take a toll on firefighters with childcare or caring responsibilities, and impact the health and wellbeing of the frontline.
In January, Gloucestershire county council announced that firefighters shifts would be changed from 9 hour days and 15 hour nights, to 11 hour days and 13 hour nights for wholetime community fire stations.
This means firefighters will work from day shifts from 8am until 7pm instead of 9am until 6pm.
The council has so far continued with the policy despite widespread concern raised by firefighters, with an unprecedented number of letters sent to councillors in the region, and the council’s scrutiny committee highlighting the need for a consultation with the workforce.
Kate Yhnell, Fire Brigades Union brigade organiser for Gloucestershire said:
Firefighters will not stand by and allow the imposition of damaging changes to working hours. Seventy firefighters travelling across the region to attend a meeting in opposition sends a powerful message to the county council.
Forcing firefighters to work longer days will take a huge toll on those with childcare or other caring responsibilities. Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service cannot claim to be supporting women in the workplace while making attacks on terms and conditions that disproportionately impact women.
Threatening firefighters’ wellbeing and future in the service does nothing for public safety. Experienced firefighters being forced out of the service will deepen a crisis in understaffing, putting communities at greater risk.
The county council must start listening to firefighters and reverse this unjustifiable decision.”
Steve Wright, Fire Brigades Union general secretary said:
Gloucestershire firefighters have sent a clear message that they are determined to fight these shift pattern changes. We have seen firefighters standing in unity across the region, sending an unprecedented number of letters to councillors and turning up in huge numbers to oppose the policy.
Firefighters continue to raise serious concerns about the impact of the new shifts on women, parents and carers in the service. These changes will impact their wellbeing, finances and mental health, while doing nothing to improve the service for the public or the workforce.
Gloucestershire county council must see sense and stop attacking firefighters' terms and conditions.”
