Submitted by SWFBU on
MESSAGE OF SUPPORT FROM THE FBU REGIONAL SECRETARY
Yesterday was a difficult day for FBU members with some employers telling you that it's OK to ignore the democratic decision of your Union, who conducted a totally legal ballot of our membership. The idea that your Union has said it is ’OK’ to walk out is disingenuous. We are firefighters and we know how heart wrenching our decision has been for ALL of us.
If you talk to those who experienced the last strike, you will get a feel for how unity and solidarity amongst members proved effective. Despite expectations that it would lower our position in the eyes of the public, we received huge support and we continue to receive it this time. We know we will always face opposition when we decided to stand up for ourselves because others don’t feel confident to protect their own conditions.
It is true that our employers force us to continually fight just to maintain our terms and conditions and that can result in us being forced to take industrial action otherwise we will always be held to ransom. A very good reason to be an active member of a Trade Union.
We understand the strength of feeling over the pensions issue and we also understand the amount of pressure being applied by some employers. Surrey FBU members being locked out is one clear example of this. This is a national dispute following a national ballot and a 78% national yes vote but equally we have heard, listened to and reported the local concerns. I was so encouraged by the recognition locally that we need to unite as a national union on a local basis.
The plea to anyone walking out at midday was and remains to stay united, stand shoulder to shoulder with your fellow FBU and support each other through these difficult times. Believe in the FBU - it is the right thing to do. This is another stage in a long and hard battle against a Government that has set out to attack public sector workers but we are fighting for our pensions and nothing more.
Various Fire Services have made it clear in recent bulletins there will be no tolerance of any discriminatory or bullying behaviour so don’t put up with any! If you face discrimination for taking strike action or are bullied, intimidated, provoked or humiliated by staff who choose to work then report it to managers. If you feel they are not taken seriously then contact your FBU rep.
The people of this country deserve the very best from THEIR fire service and I believe they would want their firefighters rewarded for a long courageous career responding to any emergency and to be looked after if they are injured. Fire Services have reported to the Fire Minister that the contingency plans in place are strong so the public do not appear to be at any greater risk while we are on strike. This fight is not with the people of this country and if any CFO can recommend a different course of action for us to take, other than to just like it or lump it, we would be keen to hear them.
Please accept my thanks and those of your fellow FBU members for putting unity and solidarity at the forefront of our fight and ensuring that the FBU remains in a position to represent you now and in the future.
