Equality

FBU calls for “lasting change” in Cleveland as report highlights bullying by some senior managers

23 Apr, 2025 By Michael Chessum

His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services has released its report into Cleveland Fire Brigade. The report found that the brigade “required improvement” in promoting values and culture, highlighting “poor behaviour of some senior managers”, including “examples of...

People at a protest against racism holding a placard reading 'the only minority destroying this country are the billionaires'

As Trump's America turns back the clock, LGBT+ history is more important than ever

Maria Buck, acting secretary of the FBU’s LGBT+ section, on trade union solidarity against the far right LGBT+ history month in the UK was founded in 2005 by Schools Out, a group of LGBT+ activists from teachers trade unions. The month of February is a time when we celebrate the lives, achievements...

Report exposes 'culture of fear' and sexism in two Welsh services

Independent reports into North Wales and Mid and West Wales fire and rescue services have revealed the extent of failures in senior management. Mid and West Wales service was described as a ‘boys club’, with nearly half of survey respondents reporting personal experiences with bullying and...

FBU Mental Health Project – survey launch

21 Feb, 2025

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Dear Brother/Sister, FBU Mental Health Project – survey launch The FBU’s research project with the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) looking into mental health in the fire and rescue service is...

INDEPENDENT CUTURE REVIEWS INTO MID AND WEST WALES FIRE AND RESCUE SERVICE

14 Feb, 2025

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Dear Brother/Sister, INDEPENDENT CUTURE REVIEWS INTO MID AND WEST WALES FIRE AND RESCUE SERVICE Last week historic homophobic and derogatory tweets surfaced that were reported to be from the then...

FBU members gathering with signs at meeting against shift changes

70 firefighters rally against shift pattern changes in Gloucestershire

13 Feb, 2025 By Alice Dann

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...

Reviews into two fire services in Wales reveal extent of leadership failings

05 Feb, 2025 By Alice Dann

Today, two damning reports have been published revealing the extent of bullying, harassment and sexism in North and Mid and West Wales fire and rescue services. Mid and West Wales service has been described as a ‘boys club’, with nearly half (47%) of survey respondents reporting personal experiences...

Employers’ duty to prevent sexual harassment in the workplace

The Worker Protection Act came into force in October 2024. Jo Seery of Thompsons Solicitors outlines what this means for FBU members. It amends the Equality Act 2010 by introducing a new duty on employers to prevent sexual harassment in the course of employment. It is designed to ensure employers...

FBU members at the annual national women's committee general meeting wearing Fight for 52 t shirts

It starts with men

Lewis Clark, Scotland east area chair, on why White Ribbon Day should inspire men to take action White Ribbon Day, observed annually on 25 November, is a global movement dedicated to raising awareness about violence against women and girls (VAWG) and advocating for positive social change. It is a...

Reports find racism and misogyny in fire services

Gloucestershire fire and rescue service has published findings of an independent review into allegations of racism and bullying in the service between 1991 and 2018. After speaking to current and previous staff members and analysing more than 4,500 documents, the review found the service had been...

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