Submitted by SWFBU on
5 March 2014
TO: ALL MEMBERS
Dear Brother/Sister
SCOTTISH REFERENDUM ON INDEPENDENCE: FBU POSITION
On 18 September this year the people of Scotland will have the chance to vote in the referendum on whether or not Scotland should become an independent country. Clearly, the referendum is of huge political significance for the people of Scotland (including FBU members) and for the rest of the UK (including FBU members). This includes implications for public services, for the Fire and Rescue Service, for pay terms and conditions – all of which will need to be discussed and addressed by the Executive Council and the whole union in due course.
FBU Conference decision
As the referendum approaches and political debate increases, media attention has focussed on the stance taken by trade unions to the issue. The position of the FBU was addressed at our Conference in 2013. Significantly, nobody spoke in opposition to the following motion which was moved and seconded by Scottish delegates and which was agreed by Conference.
Resolution 27 – Scottish Independence Referendum
This Conference notes the agreement by the United Kingdom and Scottish Governments to hold a Scottish Independence Referendum in 2014.
Conference is aware that the Scottish independence issue is emotive and politically divisive and therefore considers that for the Fire Brigades Union to express support for or against Scottish independence would be inappropriate, as this could alienate a significant number of our members and also be potentially damaging to the relationships our Union has with parties and individuals from across the whole political spectrum.
Conference therefore concludes that the Fire Brigades Union will remain neutral on this issue and not indicate support for or against Scottish independence.
Moved: Central
Seconded: Strathclyde
Individual FBU members and participation in the debate
The position adopted clearly acknowledges that members in Scotland, or anywhere else, may have strong views on the issue of the referendum and may, for example, wish to participate in debates or campaigns during the course of the referendum process. It is important however, that any such activity should not be undertaken in the name of the FBU. Nor should any indication, hint or suggestion be given that views on a Yes or No vote reflect the views of the union.
This particularly applies to officials of the union whose views may, mistakenly, be taken to be the views of the union.
Therefore members, particularly officials, who make public comment in relation to a Yes or a No vote, or seek to influence public opinion on these matters should make clear that they speak purely in a personal capacity and are not reflecting the views of the Fire Brigades Union.
Any such comment or article should be accompanied by the following statement:
The views expressed here are expressed in a personal capacity and do not reflect the views or policies of the Fire Brigades Union.
The things missing in the referendum debate
The debate at our Conference also addressed some of the issues which are not being addressed in the current debate around the referendum. These issues have been raised over a considerable period by the Scottish TUC and relate to the absence of a serious debate about social justice, our public services and the sort of Scotland which would be in the interests of working people. The most recent report of the STUC on the issue can be found by following this link:
http://www.stuc.org.uk/news/1053/stuc-publish-second-just-scotland-report
The concerns raised within the trade union movement reflect the fact that politicians from all the major parties, in all parts of the UK, are implementing the policies of cuts and austerity. Far from resolving the problems facing the economy or facing workers, these cuts and other austerity measures have prolonged economic stagnation and worsened the situation for the majority.
Therefore the FBU remains committed to opposing cuts, job losses and austerity measures whether they come from Westminster, Cardiff, Stormont or Holyrood. Our job will be to maintain the maximum unity among FBU members as well as unity other workers, wherever they live, to defend the gains our movement fought for over many decades, both within the Fire and Rescue Service and in our wider society.
Yours fraternally
MATT WRACK
GENERAL SECRETARY
