The future of organising in the Fire Brigades Union (FBU)

Conference commends the efforts of the General Secretary, National Officers, Executive Council (EC) and Officials and Members of the Fire Brigades Union for their continued commitment to organising within our Union.

It is a fact however that organising is not dogmatic and is an ever-changing process designed to progress our victories and activism within the movement. Nor is it bureaucratic, rather it is the very essence of the day-to-day work of an active trade union member regardless of the roles we hold.

Whilst the Trades Union Congress organising agenda, much of which the FBU has adopted should be congratulated it simply is not always wholly applicable in every circumstance. A number of our sister unions have adopted an ‘Industrial Organising’ approach and one which Conference believes is more in keeping with the history and traditions of the FBU.

Conference believes that an industrial organising approach and strategy focused on local brigade issues will increase membership, activism, and improve Members’ conditions.

Conference instructs that following any necessary rule changes;

• each region appoints an Official responsible for organising within the region
• the National Officer responsible for organising should convene a national committee consisting of the aforementioned Regional Officials to critique the current organising strategy within the FBU, and endeavour to create a new strategy based on an ‘industrial organising approach’ and set out its targets and campaigns for the coming year
• communication should take place with sister unions who have adopted Industrial Organising to develop best practice
• the organising committee should meet quarterly and each region should submit an organising report to the relevant committees following EC business meetings
• the Regional Official responsible for organising should ensure the organising strategy is implemented and the expected work carried out alongside the Brigade Organisers.