Branch Campaigning Guide - Positive ideas and advice for effective campaigning on your Branch!

Please find below a Branch Guide for campaigning.  This guide sets out positive ideas and advice to make sure that our campaigning work is as effective as possible at a local level.  Please discuss on your Branch.

Branch Guide - Campaigning on Strike Days
 

• Off duty members should attend the Fire Station prior to the start time of a strike in order to walk out and show support for the on duty watch.  We are all in this dispute, not just those on duty – wherever they are.  If you are attending a Station which is not your normal place of work then we recommend you inform someone of your intentions.
   
• It is important that our strike is visible and high profile. How we plan our activities whilst on strike is key to our success. Members on strike need to be united, together and active. It is important that every workplace has an activity planned prior to each strike and that this is communicated to every member.

• Organise locally to achieve the maximum impact. For instance single pump stations could join together to increase campaigning numbers or, if your station is in a remote area, move to another more visible location to carry out campaigning activities. Above all, make sure your Station has met and planned beforehand!  Please inform Brigade Officials of your plans.

• Make sure that your Picket line is visible, functional (with leaflets, petitions, tables, clipboards, pens etc) and in the right place to make the maximum impact.  

• The Union has produced and distributed a stock of materials including leaflets, petition sheets and stickers for you to use when campaigning. If you need more please contact your local FBU Official for further supplies.
   
• Organise an activity such as leafleting your local area, setting up a petition in your town centre, or why not organise to meet your local MP and/or Councillor as a group to explain why you are on strike.

• As everyone who took part in the first period of action will know, the response from the public is very encouraging. Clearly the majority of the public understand the issues involved and are supportive. Take the opportunity when campaigning to explain our issues and ask the public for practical support, by contacting their MP or signing the petition. A model letter for use to write to MPs is available on the FBU website and there is also an online petition alongside it.   

• If you are approached by the media, get the main points across by using the FBU fact sheet (available locally) or, if you are not comfortable speaking to them, refer them to your local Union Officials for comments etc.
   
• Wherever possible stay together.  Make sure a contact sheet with numbers of local colleagues and Union Officials is available. It is vital that we are able to contact all members on strike during the period of action and they are able to contact us.  Situations can change very quickly during disputes and all members need to be aware of this.  
   
• Please act responsibly.  We are all professionals with a valid case and striking has always been a last resort. Display your anger and determination through unity and effective campaigning.  
   
• Keep informed - all the information is available at the national FBU website www.fbu.org.uk.  The South West Region posts regular and full updates via a Facebook site: ‘South West Region of the Fire Brigades Union’, - a Twitter feed ‘@SouthWestFBU’ - a YouTube site ‘South West FBU’ and a website designed specifically for South West Firefighters www.southwestfbu.com
   
• Make sure you keep the Union posted with regular updates and information from your picket lines and campaigning activities. Email photos to us at southwestfbu@fbu.org.uk  and let local Officials know of responses from local politicians and the public. Above all, make sure that your Branch has regular meetings where you can discuss the issues involved, receive updates and plan future activities.

 UNITY IS STRENGTH!