Established 1918 JOURNAL OF THE FIRE BRIGADES UNION Firefighter

Volume 24 Number 5 June 1996

Conference 1996 —

Essex and Derbyshire ballot results — pages 2-3 STUC — pages 5-7 Women’s TUC — pages 17-18 Essex Cuts — Strike Ballot

N 27 February 1996, after a con­ removal of chemical protection suits certed four week media campaign By from retained appliances). culminating in a mass lobby of K. HANDSCOMB, 3. Adding insult to injury, the County O council clearly devalued the worth of County Hall, Essex County Council de­ Essex cided to ignore the advice of the CFO and firefighters and control staff by cut­ the forthright warnings of the FBU. The ting their conditions and allowances. Labour/Liberal Democrat coalition dation, it was decided to go back to 4. The County Council’s decision to cut agreed a massive cut in the Fire Service branches recommending strike action. the Fire Service Budget whilst sitting Budget of £1.353 million. The Essex members gave a clear com­ on £ 15 million of Essex people's The cut consisted of a saving of £ ½ mitment to participate in any resultant money in reserves is immoral. million in unpaid salaries (understaffing), National Strike. From the outset, it’s been absolutely £80,000 cut in FBU members conditions It was on this foundation, that the clear that the FBU is in the right and on and allowances, £373,000 cut in opera­ Brigade Officials were able to build a 27 March, after a mass meeting, the tional equipment, BA, Chemical campaign against the Essex Budget Branch Delegates delivered their man­ Protection Suits, vehicles, maintenance, Cuts. dates at the Brigade Committee uniform, furniture etc and an additional The arguments were simple: Meeting, calling for a ballot of the Essex unspecified £400,000 cut from “other 1. Having too few firefighters to keep all Membership, for a series of nine hour budgets”. appliances on-the-run, puts public strikes. With the whole-hearted support Shamelessly, the County Council lives at risk. of Head Office. The ballot started on 25 agreed a recruitment freeze despite 2. The resultant slower response times April and it was only when the CFO and being fully aware that at that time, Essex and inadequate the employers realised that ‘Yes’ votes Fire Service were some 53 whole-time crewing levels were being returned fast and furious, firefighters below full establishment. puts firefighters that they began to take us (Three months on, we have fallen further lives at seriously. below to 909 whole-time firefighters, 61 increased risk below strength and 385 retained fire­ (as does cuts fighters, 43, below strength). in specialist Immediately after the fateful council equipment meeting, the Essex Brigade Committee such as the agreed that there was only one course of action appropriate and with some trepi-

In an 82 per cent turnout, Essex members of the Union voted for a series of nine hour strikes. 629 voted YES 69% 282 voted NO 31%

* At the time of going to press Essex mem­ bers were considering an offer made by the Authority.

2 Derbyshire to face sixth year of CUTS

LONG with many other Local County running a Public campaign Authorities Derbyshire County By with leaflets, stickers and a Council are faced with yet an­ petition. Once again the support Aother year of Budget cuts. This is due from people has been overwhelm­ entirely to Government underfunding. KIM SMITH ing but the Council is still In total the Council has a shortfall of determined to push through their £16 million. The Fire Service’s share Derbyshire cuts. is to be £ 1 .3 million this com es on top of almost £6 million of cuts over the last six years. Six-hundred-thou­ the start of the meeting. At the same SUPPORT FROM MPs sand pounds has been found from an time two Senior Officers were on their underspend last year and changes to way to Merseyside for help to plan The Derbyshire group of Labour MPs vehicle leasing agreements, but that Strike tactics. So the whole process of including Tony Benn, Dennis Skinner still leaves £ 7 3 1 ,0 0 0 to find. the Senior management team holding and Harry Barnes have supported us meetings and visits to Stations has be proposing an early day motion in The Council proposes to meet this Parliament. amount by: been a complete sham with the man­ agement and Council obviously seek­ Removing a TL from Derby. ing confrontation. UNANIMOUS SUPPORT FOR Downgrading a Day Crewing sta­ STRIKE BALLOT tion to Retained. ONLY DEPARTMENT AT SSA The Brigade Committee unani­ Removing eight Rider Officers. Like many other Authorities, mously backed a call to Ballot all Removing four Retained Pumps. Derbyshire has always spent over members for a series of strikes of SSA, but this year they are deter­ nine hours duration. The Ballot started Converting four Flexi Duty Officer mined to cut us to SSA. We had the on 29th April and closed on 28th May. posts to Day Duty. largest increase in SSA of any All Branches have held a num ber of Brigade, £ 2 .7 million, yet we are still meetings where the Brigade Officials Converting Uniformed posts to facing cuts! Every other Department put the case for a YES VOTE, cul­ non-uniformed. of the Council is still spending over minating with two open meetings with Cuts to Training and Fire Safety SSA. The reason the council gives is guest speakers Peter Skinley, Budgets. to get us ready for the new Combined Merseyside, Geoff Ellis, Essex, Mike Authority next year, although there is Fordham and our own EC member Jim A review of Establishment levels no legal requirement for them to do Cairney. in Control. this. When challenged over the reduc­ Changes to National conditions tions in Fire Cover the Council and £50,000 A DAY on Dental charges and their collaborators in Brigade manage­ In the event of a vote for strike Subsistence. ment trot out "but we will still meet action it has been revealed that the minimum standards". We all know County Council will have to pay up to that these standards are too low and £50,000 to the Government for any CUTS NODDED THROUGH will endanger the Public and our own such strike. By the way this figure Members as recent tragedies have In a disgraceful example of so- does not include the cost of Police shown. called democracy, the PPC nodded assistance which as we know from through the full list of cuts to the Fire Merseyside will be huge. What mad­ Service Budget, with very little debate PUBLIC CAMPAIGN ness, the Council claim to have no about the effect of these cuts on the money but are prepared to run up people of Derbyshire. As in previous years we have huge bills in order to push through The Acting CFO despite a sanctamo­ been out on the Streets of the their cuts. nious speech full of crocodile tears, in the end supported the full list, which he along with the rest of the Senior management team had shamefully BALLOT RESULT drawn. In an 84 per cent turnout, Derbyshire members of the Union voted for a series of nine hour strikes. MERSEYSIDE 516 voted YES 75% So much for genuine debate and consultation when the Press release 174 voted NO 25% on the outcome was released before

3 FIRE SAFETY CAMPAIGN Victory for FBU in three-year campaign

HE Government has finally made the long awaited announcement on T the future of fire safety and have decided that: “fire safety should, in general, be treated separately in legislation and that its enforce­ ment should rest principally with Fire Authorities” This decision is a clear rejection of the recommendations contained within the Report of Interdepartmental Review of Fire Safety Legislation and Enforcement [The Fire Safety Scrutiny] and a sub­ stantial victory for the Union’s cam­ paign over the last three years. The fact that the responsibility and legislation for fire safety will remain with the Fire Service and will not be moved to either Building Control or the Health and Safety Executive is a victory for commonsense and will ensure that public and firefighter safety remains one of the core elements of our Fire Service. There are a number of technical issues that arise out of the announce­ ment by Ministers, including the draft regulation to implement the fire safety aspects of the EC Framework and Workplace directives and the Union will continue to pursue these matters. 4 STUC CONGRESS Shaping the future

The President pointed out that He commended new Labour proposals changes to working life such as the intro­ which mean that the Party’s programme duction of zero-hours contracts mean “will be submitted to the whole member­ that “it is young workers and women ship for ratification.” workers who most need the protection of The Shadow secretary believed that “it trade unions in this jungle.” wold be senseless to repeal all the trade union legislation of the ’8 0 s”, but was CASE FOR MINIMUM WAGE SPELLED applauded when he added that "Labour OUT will act to redress the Tory imbalance.” “A minimum wage is politically popu­ He pledged that GCHQ workers will lar, economically sound and socially have their trade union rights restored just." TUC Chairwoman Margaret and that those who want to join a trade Prosser told Congress when bringing union will have the right enshrined in law, greetings from the TUC. Low-paid work­ and that where a majority of workers ers face a constant struggle to make have chosen to have a union represent ends meet, and more than 450,000 them, that representation will be Scottish workers would benefit from a recognised. minimum wage of at least £ 4 per hour, “There is an overwhelming case for she said. the minimum wage, and a good eco­ “Those extra pence on their hourly nomic and fiscal one as well,” Mr. wage can make a huge difference on Robertson said. their standard of living, from coping BREAKDOWN OF IRISH PEACE financially with bare necessities to the PROCESS CONDEMNED "S HAPING THE FUTURE” was occasional treat.” The £4 target is not the slogan of the STUC the union rate, but represents the very “The working people of Ireland, North Congress, held in Edinburgh least that all employers should and can and South, have made clear their abhor­ just one year short of the STUC cente­ afford to pay their workforce. rence of the break-down of the Peace nary. Foremost in delegates’ minds was “It is the bottom line which no Process with mass rallies in Belfast and the likelihood that this year’s Congress employee should be paid,” she stressed. Dublin,” Irish Congress of Trade Unions will be the last before the General general secretary Peter Cassells Election. With their eyes on the crucial DIRTIEST ELECTION CAMPAIGN EVER declared. year ahead, they resolved to campaign PREDICTED Delivering his fraternal address to on the many positive policies developed The government will “not hand over Congress, Mr. Cassells stated that he for working people, both at the Congress power and admit defeat with any dignity was proud to visit Edinburgh, the birth­ and during the day-to-day work of or civility,” Shadow Scottish secretary place of Irish labour leader and republi­ Scottish trade unionists. George Robertson predicted in his fra­ can James Connolly, telling delegates CALL TO DRIVE THE TORIES OUT ternal address from the Labour Party. that the ICTU was about to unveil a mon­ “They will fight like rats in a drain, and ument in James Connolly's memory. The price of a Tory victory at the their campaign will be the nastiest, the Calling for full employment to be General Election would be “further pres­ ugliest and the most unscrupulous this raised to the top of the trade union and sure to make Britain the cheap labour country has ever seen,” he continued. political agenda, he slated the British ghetto of Europe, bigger cuts in public services, more attacks on employment and trade union rights and continued mass unemployment,” STUC President Pat McCormick warned. To drive the Tories out, “we need not only robust organisation, we need an alternative political vision that gives peo­ ple positive reasons for voting for change — a vision of a society with full employ­ ment, and devolved and decentralised decision making, where democracy means more than crossing a ballot paper every few years,” he said. “Women, who make up more than half the total workforce, must be given their rightful place in trade union structures and the movement must recognise the ticking time bomb which is a legacy of our failure to recruit young people into the trade union movement.” photos: Alan Wylie

5 STUC CONGRESS

and Irish governments for being “too class. He concluded “let us work for a na­ complacent about unemployment," with "All that we expect from a future tional minimum wage which will benefit the jobs that are being created being low- Labour government is a promise to — the many, and restore some dignity to paid, temporary and insecure. without apology — start to redress that those who have been degraded by Tory “To deprive people of work robs them balance. greed. of more than their pay packet," he “We will not call it favours — we will “TACTICAL” TRIDENT MUST GO added. “Work gives people dignity and call it justice,” Ken Cameron declared to the right to contribute to society.” applause. Britain’s Trident nuclear submarines “Let us start by introducing a national are undergoing modification to target NOT FAVOURS BUT JUSTICE minimum wage based on half of the male non-nuclear third world countries, FBU “The past 17 years of Tory rule has median earnings. That will work out at delegate Roddy Robertson told taught working people all about unfair­ around £166 for a 40 hour week — Congress. ness,” declared FBU general secretary hardly a king’s ransom.” He explained that according to the gov­ Ken Cameron while arguing the case for The eradication of poverty, the FBU ernment Trident has a new role, “to de­ a national minimum wage. general secretary said, “is a political liver an unmistakable message to poten­ He attacked “the unfairness of one-in- issue. There is ample evidence to tial aggressors in defence of Britain’s vital interests.” The government message was summed up by Roddy Robertson as “Tactical Trident”. He continued that "apart from not knowing who these potential aggressors might be, or pre­ cisely what these vital interests are, we do know that there is nothing tactical about nuclear weapons. “This seems to be a feeble attempt on the part of the government to justify expenditure of £ 30 billion on Trident over the next 25 years,” he said. And this is to be spent while public spending in many vital areas, such as the Health Service, education, and from the FBU perspective, vital emergency four of the population — 14.1 million demonstrate the economic effects of a services such as the Fire Service, is people — living in poverty, on less than statutory minimum wage will be totally inadequate.” half the average income, and the unfair­ beneficial. Describing nuclear submarines as “a ness of the government's neglect of our “It will stimulate the economy, and kind of floating Chernobyl”, he referred old age pensioners.” move Britain in the direction of a more to a report by the US based International Homelessness, particularly that of our highly motivated, highly skilled economy. Centre for Technology Assessment. This young people sleeping rough on our city And if there are hiccups, then we must "catalogued the number of incidents streets is an example of Tory unfair­ have the will to sort them out. involving nuclear reactors and nuclear ness,” he continued. “So is the denial of “But nothing must be secondary to our weapons at sea,” he declared. immediate access to proper health care main objective — ending poverty pay,” “And it is worth bearing in mind that for all our people, and the denial of a he stated firmly. while the results of the study are dis­ decent education system for our chil­ “In Scotland, almost 44 per cent of dren,” he emphasised. our workers earn below the commonly “The list is endless, so we know a lot accepted threshold. The figure is even about unfairness. And we also know a lot higher for women — 51 per cent, and 79 about favours, handed out by this gov­ per cent for part-timers, that is why a ernment to their friends, their people”, minimum wage must be national. said Ken Cameron. “We do not want regional rates — a “We have seen tax cuts for the rich at decent wage in Torquay will be no differ­ the expense of a social welfare system ent to a decent wage in the Highlands for the poor and the destruction of our and islands,” he insisted. public services, while fat cat salaries are “And let us remember that we are talk­ handed to the heads of former state util­ ing about minimums here. A statutory ities," he recalled. minimum wage is a vote winner. Polling “This has created a situation where evidence, such as that undertaken by the gap between the top and bottom Unison, has shown the majority of voters Roddie Robertson earners is now larger than at any time support its introduction at a meaningful since records began a 100 years ago. level.” turbing enough, it is even more worrying “Favours have been dished out, with He pointed out that “the public is because the report is based on publicly the appointment to quangos of the wives enraged at the poor pay of those whose available material. of Tory MPs and ex-ministers or those services are vital to our communities, for "There will be significant omissions who have donated to Tory party funds." example, nurses and care workers. where incidents where submarines have His message to the Labour Party was “We have all the facts and figures at been implicated but not proven to be “yes, we know all about favours and fair­ our fingertips to expose the false argu­ involved are not recorded,” he pointed ness. One thing that the Tories have ments of any negative effects of a out. excelled at over the last 17 years is in national minimum wage. We also have “The European Parliament has, as a unashamedly looking after their own the moral high ground.” result of this report, passed a resolution

6 STUC CONGRESS

urging the major naval powers to inform But Cuba, despite the intense pres­ Saharawi people. Saharawi women have the UN about nuclear warheads and sure caused by the US blockade, refuses dug wells, and made mud bricks to build reactors lost at sea. to cut vital services, despite all hospitals and schools. “The biggest threat on this question difficulties. “They organise the distribution of food comes from France, China, Russia and “Perhaps we would be better off if we as well as training themselves in order yes, ourselves,” Roddy Robertson ourselves were blockaded by the US.” that they may educate their children.” continued. Tam Tierney said ironically. “Then, just The referendum on the future of the “We know that there had been a num­ like Cuba, maybe we would not be clos­ Western Sahara, first called for by the ber of instances where fishing vessels ing down hospitals, schools or UN 30 years ago, is being blocked by have disappeared and where all the indi­ nurseries.” Morocco, she explained. “So, 170,000 cations are that they were capsized FIGHT FOR PEACE AND FREEDOM IN people still remain in desert camps, and when submarines caught their nets.” WESTERN SAHARA 800 Saharawi’s are political prisoners. But, he continued, “while safety is “The Polisario is determined that the obviously our prime consideration, there The tragic plight of the people of the international community should honour is also the economic cost to consider — Western Sahara was movingly outlined its commitments to the last colony in the billions of pounds being poured into by FBU delegate Linda Shanahan, who Africa — but there is mass ignorance of products which could damage the planet called for support for their largely forgot­ this intolerable human tragedy," she beyond repair. ten and unreported struggle. pointed out. “They serve no useful function, and “The United Nations called for the right even Tory warmongers realise that they of self-determination for the people of “Political and practical support is cannot be justified for much longer.” Western Sahara, the Saharawi, as long urgently needed. The Western Sahara Highlighting “the urgent need of ago as 1975,” she told Congress. “This Campaign is working to establish an defence-dependent companies to diver­ followed an Enquiry Mission sent by the effective membership base here — so sify into non-military equipment”, he UN to the Western Sahara which your first step has to be getting your stressed that “we are paying too high a Morocco was claiming as its own after union to affiliate at branch as well as price to keep these lethal weapons Spain withdrew from its last remaining national level,” she told delegates. afloat.” colony. On a political level, pressure must be Trident must be scrapped, he said, “so “But, in defiance of the UN, Moroccan put on Morocco, and on a “practical that workers’ expertise can be put to bet­ forces occupied this territory. The level, we can organise collections of ter use, and so that they can find more Saharawi people chose to fight this occu­ material and money and help to host the secure employment. pation under the leadership of their main delegations of Western Saharan children “We call for the billions of pounds that political party, the Polisario Front.” who have in past years been brought this will liberate to be invested in new Linda Shanahan described how the here for a short break from the desert products and in the well-being of our Saharawis “established refugee camps camps,” Linda Shanahan summed up. people.” in the desert near the Eastern bor­ PERSONAL LOANS•PERSONAL LOANS•PERSONAL LOANS HANDS OFF CUBA ders of the territory The actions of the US government — camps which towards Cuba illustrated the behaviour of were bombarded by an "international policeman turned inter­ Morocco with UNITY LOANS national terrorist,” said FBU delegate napalm and Tam Tierney, calling for maximum sup­ phosphorous. port in defence of the Cuban people. “So the people WHEN IT COMES TO SPEED OF SERVICE Trade unionists “must do everything to moved on, to the help end the illegal US blockade of the South West of THERE IS NO COMPETITION island," he declared, asking “what is Algeria, to an in­ America afraid of? hospitable desert PREFERENTIAL RATES FOR FBU MEMBERS “Is it afraid of the fact that Cuba has a where they now live • Free life cover for added security. • Decisions made in minutes. lower infant mortality rate and higher lit­ in enforced exile. • No arrangement fees or • Monthly repayments are fixed for eracy levels than those offered to the These refugees are administration charges. easy budgeting. people of the US? Or the fact that the alive thanks mainly • Borrow between £1,000 and £10,000 • The loan is unsecured so you don't people of Cuba, unlike those of its to international for any purpose. have to put your home at risk. blockading enemy, have access to free support,” she said. • Spread the cost from between • Loan advance by cheque or direct medical treatment? “This support 1 and 5 years. credit straight to your bank. “Is America frightened that its own cit­ comes from the Typical example: on a loan of £3.000 the monthly payments would be £105.05 over 36 months, the total amount izens might demand the benefits of UN High Commis­ repayable is £3.781.80 APR 16.9% (fixed) • including free these outrageous socialist policies?" he sion for Refugees, life cover. Written quotations are available on request. queried. the World Food DON'T MISS THIS OPPORTUNITY “Cuba must be defended," he said, Programme and CALL US FREE ON highlighting the ongoing work undertaken Western Sahara by the Scottish-Cuba Defence Campaign, support groups of and he urged all unions to affiliate to the which there are 0800 600 990 campaign to give it full backing. several in Britain. Please quote reference CL62 FBU He contrasted the situation in Cuba, “The camps are Monday to Friday from 8.30am to 8.00pm. which has retained and built on its sys­ populated mostly Saturday 9.00am to 5.00pm. tem of free and high quality education, by women, children IT PAYS TO TALK TO UNITY ABOUT PERSONAL LOANS! health care and welfare provision for all, and old people, as Unity loans are provided by Avco Trust PLC. Avco House, Castle with that in this country, where all these the majority of the APR Street. 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7 Incident at sea...

BRIGADE — HUMBERSIDE DON MACLEOD set removed (a short duration set) and DATE — 23/03/96 in imminent danger of being overcome TIME OF CALL — 2017 Brigade Secretary, by the toxic fumes present. If it had not ADDRESS: MT Alfa America, 3 miles Humberside been for the expertise of the LFF (who off Flamborough Head, incidentally used to work on oil tankers) North Sea. who immediately requested the tank to Equipment was gathered for airlift to be purged with air, the RAF Firefighter N the above date at 2017 hours, the ship at the coastguard station and may not be here today. A rescue was a call was received via Humber the first crew was airlifted to the ship. carried out and he was transferred to coastguard that two people were On arrival, the OIC assessed the situa­ hospital and detained. Unfortunately trappedO in the vessel’s slop tank and the two crew members died and tion and was informed that apart from required immediate assistance. the Captain and the Chief Engineer, because of the conditions it was de­ Bridlington station was then alerted there was an RAF Firefighter in distress, cided the ship would proceed to and volunteers were sought and owing therefore, he had no option but to Teesport before the bodies would be to the nature of the call, the duty crew commit the BA members to attempt a removed. This operation lasted all day readily volunteered, who wouldn’t? I rescue. and was carried out by our comrades in would. Conditions were, as one Firefighter Cleveland. The next problem, how do we get described, a “Hellhole”. A 60 ft. This type of incident raises the ques­ there? No problem, we will fly you out descent on raking ladders covered in tion that in the economic climate of there by RAF Sea King Helicopter, bear­ crude oil and other waste, pitch black cuts in our service and the lack of fund­ ing in mind that we have no training in with a rolling ship but as expected the ing for this type of incident, should it ditching procedures, approaching and task was performed with professional­ not be the Government who foot the bill leaving the aircraft, or issue of immer­ ism and with one thought in mind the for training and leave the local funding sion suits, compulsory when flying over task in hand. for appliances, equipment and bums on the sea and last but not least, “no The LFF in charge of the BA team seats! insurance cover for flying”. The job still located the RAF Firefighter at the bot­ P.S. This ship was flying a flag of has to be done. tom level in obvious distress with his convenience. How appropriate!

RIOR to the demise of Humberside County Council on Pthe 1st April 1 9 96, a shadow Combined Fire Authority (CFA) was elected, made up of four unitary author­ THE CUTS ities comprising of the: 1. East Riding of Yorkshire 2. Hull City UPDATE 3. North Lincolnshire 4. North East Lincolnshire A number of meetings were held in preparation of the transition from the outgoing authority. The main item on the agenda was inevitable, the setting of the budget for '96/97. Of course, we expected the worst and of course, it Humber cuts arrived with the Chief Fire Officer having to find savings of £1.3 million. The CFO members and set up a campaign to was asked to go away and formulate by oppose the proposed cuts. We set up a the savings from areas which he felt DON MACLEOD petition which was signed by 17,000. could sustain reduction with minimal This was quite an achievement consid­ effect to the running of the Brigade. Brigade Secretary, ering the time scale, we also had a The proposed cuts were formulated Humberside good media campaign with good cover­ and presented to the CFA for considera­ age on TV, radio and local newspapers. tion. They were, to say the least, dev­ At the meeting on 24th April 1996, at astating as the operational cuts were 3. Appliance renewal programme Beverley, we lobbied the CFA along with concentrated to the Hull City and East suspended our colleagues from West, North and Riding areas, both North bank and the South Yorks. Although numbers were Humber authorities, an obvious attempt 4. Reduction in training not as we had expected, we certainly by the CFO to “divide and conquer”. The 5. Freeze on recruitment made our presence felt, so much so cuts were: Included in 1 and 2 above, the reduc­ that we have deferred the decision until 1. Reduction of two pump stations tion in the Brigades establishment by 20th May at a well known venue to one pump stations (two of the 38 Firefighters' posts. “Bridlington Town Hall", where we hope busiest stations in the Brigade) On 24th April 1996, the CFA were to we can gather in numbers and the CFA 2. Reduction of day crewing station meet to agree to the cuts. Prior to this see sense and provide the finance to to fully retained meeting we set forth to speak to our maintain our present fire cover.

8 CONFERENCE ’96 Increasing President calls attacks on FBU for Honour and HE 73rd Annual Conference of the Fire Brigades Union T took place at Bridlington in May, with delegates represent­Fairness ing the union’s 14 regions, National Committees, and retained members gathered to "HONOUR and fairness, the set policies for the coming year. basic foundation of any soci­ Conference met at a time of ety, is something we see and hear very little of today,” FBU President increasing attacks on the FBU Ronnie Scott said in his opening and the Fire Service, with Derby Presidential address. and Essex poised for strike bal­ The Nolan Committee investigation lots, and as Merseyside firefight­ into the “MPs for Hire” scandal and the ers emerged victorious from District Auditor's Report have revealed a their nine month long dispute. shocking catalogue of sleaze, he declared. “We are watching the Tory fat- Deciding on a united strategy for cats leave a trail of slime across the the way forward was not the floor of Westminster. only task facing Conference at “The sight of Tory MPs who are far Bridlington — a day was also set more interested in making money from aside to update and revise the outside interests and big business, rather than representing their own elec­ FBU Rule Book. Ronnie Scott torate does not make you proud to be British,” he stated. ing to go,” Ronnie declared. “Nor does the spectacle of Lady Proposals to delete the whole of Porter’s political cleansing of the bor­ Section 2 of the Grey Book on Conditions Honoured ough of Westminster — trying to wash of Service and to introduce a working the electorate bluer than blue,” he con­ week of 42 hours “would be vigorously tinued, asking when the full truth would opposed by the FBU" according to these be revealed about “the links between minutes, he revealed. and Westminster Council and the Thatcherite The minutes also show that three High Com m and.” Metropolitan Authorities, covering a quar­ ter of the country's firefighters, want Ronnie Scott pointed out that “public "variable crewing”, Ronnie added. services are disintegrating all around us Remembered “Well, the FBU has a message for the — the National Health Service is in cri­ employers — if they try to vary the level sis, the education system is failing our e l e g a t e s stood with bowed of fire cover — so will we. We will vary it children, their parents are living in pov­ heads in a minute's silence downwards through strike action if they erty and racism is being used to whip up to honour those members force us to it," he warned to applause. bigotry.” Dwho had passed away in the year “We are trying to shore up a crumbling Mocking the Tory search for the feel­ since Conference last met. The fire service, and our members are paying good factor, he said that “the only feel­ recent tragic deaths of those killed the price through injury and deaths,” he good factor we want is the one that will while fighting fires, were much in said, asking “what does it take to get delegates’ minds during the week. come when the Tories are consigned to fairness? the dustbin of history where they This feeling of loss and sorrow "We do not intend to stand by and see belong”. was reinforced later, when our members die,” Ronnie pledged to Conference was informed of the In the Fire Service, he told further loud clapping. “That is why we death of Greater Manchester mem­ Conference, "we have come through a fought in Merseyside and up and down ber John Ogden. A firefighter at hell of a 12 months. The Chief Fire the country. We applaud our members on Gorton Fire Station, John died as a Officers in many brigades up and down Merseyside — you fought long, you result of injuries sustained in a fall the country are managing, and in many fought hard and you fought well. from the cab of a fire appliance cases, instigating cuts. “To those employers and politicians proceeding to a fire. A full investi­ Leaked minutes of an Employers’ out there who hope to see the FBU on its gation into the circumstances of Working Party meeting on Conditions of knees we have a message — do not hold the tragedy is taking place. Service in the possession of the union your breath, we have not yet begun the “give us a flavour of where they are try­ fight,” he concluded.

9 C O N FER EN C E ’96 Pension scheme needed for Retained Members

ONFERENCE called for a fully fun­ action at its disposal, including strike bers of the Pension Scheme will be unaf­ ded Fire Service Pension Scheme, action, in order to defend its members fected by any proposed changes. unrelated to funding for other Fire and their conditions under the Pension But he reminded delegates “of our C Schem e.” Conference commitment of two years Service expenditure, and demanded that the age of index linking of pensions on ago that we will not accept a two-tier sys­ retirement be reduced from 55 to 50. tem and that we will stand by the rights It also instructed the Executive Council to pension equality of new entrants”. “to redouble its efforts to negotiate a The Home Secretary, he continued, contributory Pension Scheme for “has consistently refused to wholly or Retained Firefighters” and to pursue “the partly fund the Pension Fund deficit of feasibility of employers providing insur­ £7 billion, and has now decreed that ance cover to reimburse payments made there will be no pursuit of provision for to Retained firefighters forced to retire adult dependants.” from the service due to injuries sus­ This refusal is justified by the claim tained during firefighting duties." that the administration would be too The “actions of Chief Fire Officers, costly and that it would be too difficult Firemasters and Fire Authorities who are for the government to meet the Inland attacking our members’ rights to a med­ Revenue qualifications for the inclusion ical retirement through the Pension of such dependants. Scheme” was condemned. “But at least 50 of the larger Pension “Members are being threatened with Schemes run by companies such as ICI dismissal on the grounds of capability or and BT can cope with both the adminis­ tration and with the Inland Revenue qual­ with redeployment within the Service on Ian Brandling specific non-operational duties,” said ifications,” Ian Brandling stated. the motion which was carried on this “This leaves us with the obscenity of subject. For the Executive Council, National the position clearly revealed in February The Merseyside motion asked the Officer Ian Brandling said that the union when in the space of four days three fire­ Executive Council “to inform the National believes that the recommendations of fighters were killed as they attempted to Joint Council that if these attacks con­ the Pensions Review Committee, yet to save lives. Yet, for all three families, only tinue, the FBU membership will use any be released, will state that existing mem­ one adult pension will be payable.” Urgent review of Retained Service needed "W E need a comprehensive review of the Retained Fire Service if we are not to see standards of fire cover in rural areas decrease even further,” National Officer Dave Higgs said. “The problems which are increasingly facing brigades reflect the increasing reluctance of employers to release employees to answer fire calls, changing patterns of employment which force more and more people to work away from home, and the fact that there are fewer self-employed people available.” Suffolk delegate Steve Brinkley reveal­ ing how the threat of a strike ballot had saved 20 retained jobs in Suffolk last year, declared that “unity of all sections Dave Higgs is needed to defend the service". Steve Brinkley, Suffolk

10 CONFERENCE '96 National Minimum Wage Campaign

HE FBU must continue its cam­ for a statutory minimum wage set at consider decent," warned Ken Cameron. paign for “a specified, realistic "half median male earnings, rising to “We have to tackle this issue head T statutory minimum wage, which two-thirds. on, and we have a big fight ahead, should be the essential component for “We must campaign for it locally, not just with the Tories to disprove the protection of all workers,” regionally and nationally, in order to give their lie that it will price workers out Conference resolved. dignity back to our people," she said, of the labour market. But also with the adding that “this formula does not Labour Party, and even some in our amount to a fortune, adding up to own trade union movement," he just two-thirds of the European Union predicted. decency threshold.” The “only reason why any political party could oppose the National Minimum Wage is to allow the worst employment practices to prosper,” she pointed out. Backing the resolution, FBU general secretary Ken Cameron commented that: “I see that the press is speculating that the TU C will favour a figure of about £3.65 — well, we do not favour that. “The generally understood formula of half male median earnings produces a figure of £4.26 an hour. This formula has been arrived at after much discus­ sion, particularly among women in the movement, who make up the bulk of low Linda Shanahan paid workers. “The Labour Party has committed Moving the successful motion from itself to the introduction of a statutory Fife, Linda Shanahan stressed the minimum wage, but do not hold your importance of keeping up the pressure breath — it will not be at a level we Ken Cameron

oppress not only the people of Cyprus but dissidents inside Turkey Cal to boycott holidays in itself. The resolution also called on the Executive Council to “raise within the TUC, the Labour Party and the inter­ Northern Cyprus and Turkey national labour and trade union move­ ment the continuing occupation and division of Cyprus”. "T AKING holidays in Turkey or Turkish-occupied Cyprus is sup­ porting an oppressive regime — in order to save £50 on a holiday,” said Durham delegate Richard McArdle, moving the successful motion which called for a boycott. “If anyone asks what business it is of ours, the answer is that the Turkish inva­ sion of Cyprus cost over 6,000 people their lives and over 200,000 their homes. That is what makes it our busi­ ness, because we care,” he declared. Seconding, Steve Gregg from Cleveland revealed that “Turkey is the fifth most popular destination for British tourists, who spend on average £650 per person". He pointed out that this money subsidises the Turkish govern­ Richard McArdle, Durham ment’s arms expenditure, used to Steve Gregg. Cleveland

11 C O N FER EN C E ’96

Interim Report — Resolutions 58 and 62 1995 Firefighting at Sea — Legal Implications and Resolution 62 Collections BUCKET collections held at Conference Helicopter procedures for fire raised £ 1 ,0 0 0 each for the National Justice for Mineworkers appeal and the striking Liverpool dockers. The union's service use well attended and very successful International Evening raised £2,185, RO. Dave Matthews gave an in­ which was divided between Cuba terim report, on behalf of the Solidarity Campaign and War on Want. BExecutive Council’s Firefighting at Sea and Helicopter Sub Committee. He reminded Conference that the legal implications were now almost resolved. Editorial Board That left the operational role of heli­ copters at incidents, included if used, JOE MACVEIGH, Mick Brighton, Clive whilst Firefighting at Sea. Protheroe and Phil Jordan were all re­ Annual Conference already had a elected unopposed to the Firefighter Firefighting at Sea Policy and the recom­ Editorial Board. mendations in that policy, should be the Trevor Harman, Hampshire minimum agreed if Firefighters are to undertake these duties. Bridlington Fire Station were mobilised. This involved non trained Firefighters. CACFOA policy This position is not acceptable. A final report will be put to the 1997 AN Emergency Resolution moved by Annual Conference. Nottinghamshire and supported by a Resolution 26 from Hampshire, as number of Brigades calling on the amended by London was carried over­ Executive Council to support a CACFOA whelmingly by Conference. policy statement on a competence The mover (Trevor Harman) indicated based approach to training which the urgent need for flashover/backdraft divorced the training requirement from training. If more Firefighters’ lives were the fear of the use of capability proce­ not to be lost from such phenomenon. dures, was defeated. The National Health and Safety Officer had already been successful in request­ ing that the Home Office should set up a small ad hoc group to consider the issu­ Dave Matthews ing of central guidance on flashover/ TRAINING The recent incident in Humberside, backdraft training. He also paid tribute, where there is a good Firefighting at Sea both to the work of Essex fire service and procedure and unit, broke down when FBU and John Taylor of North Yorkshire. Legal Rights a priority

PACKED and very successful fringe ate for and to represent their members,” meeting was held on the subject of but added that it will be no easy task to trade union rights. Organised by get a Labour government to accept what Athe Institute of Employment Rights, the it trade union movement wants to see was addressed by FBU general secretary on the statute book. Ken Cameron and two speakers from the “Just as in the case of the national Institute, Director Carolyn Jones and minimum wage, that will not, and should Executive Member Jim Mortimer. not, stop us arguing our corner," Ken Mick Shaw, London “We want to see the vicious anti-union Cameron declared. laws, brought into being with the sole Carolyn Jones introduced the A RESOLUTION instructing the Executive objective of smashing the trade union Institute’s new work on employment Council to demand assurances from the movement, repealed,” he stated. But he rights, entitled Just the Job. This has National Employers that competence urged trade unionists to start workplace been drawn up by leading academics and based training procedures would not be discussions on legal rights to put in their legal experts with input and sponsorship linked in any way with capability and dis­ place. from many trade unions. missal procedures was successfully “Otherwise, we will have no protection “We hope that the proposed labour moved by Mick Shaw of London. Unless against unfair dismissal or redundancy, code detailed in Just the Job, which is such assurances were forthcoming, con­ or rights to maternity leave, to name but being refined in the light of discussions ference reiterated its opposition to the a few,” he continued. with all unions involved with the project Training Strategy Report and the intro­ "The FBU wants to enshrine in law the will prove a useful contribution to debate duction of the competence approach to right of unions to recognition, to negoti­ within the movement,” she said. training.

12 CONFERENCE ’96 CUTS MUST BE RESISTED "THE FBU will no longer tolerate are keeping up the pressure nationally cuts in front line services or too, and will maintain and step up our conditions of service. Any fur­ publicity campaign”. ther erosion will be met by vigorous pub­ Les Hammond urged delegates to lic campaigning and ultimately a strike “vote with honesty — do not vote for this ballot," Conference resolved. resolution if you cannot deliver your Repeating FBU policy that “if any membership for it”. wholetime member is made redundant, Citing his own members’ recent vic­ we will hold a recall conference with a tory, and that on Merseyside, he re­ recommendation that we take industrial minded Conference that Derbyshire and action," the general secretary said. Essex are also lining up for a dispute. “We have seen cuts implemented in “We have battles breaking out every­ almost every brigade already,” he where — when will we declare war?" he pointed out. “But we can, and should, asked to applause. “There should be no build support for a campaign, both inside need for a resolution reaffirming our pre­ the union and with the general public, to sent policy — we need to take it further. highlight the consequences of cuts.” “It is time to put up or shut up. Go Sam Wakeford, London He recalled that “in some regions we back to your brigades and mobilise the have done this very effectively. Surrey is membership. We must be ready. If we The resolution, carried on a card vote one recent and notable victory, but we campaign hard, the members will of 24,641 to 18,737, stated that “the respond,” Les Hammond declared. recalled conference should be held, A successful London resolution also where possible, at a location within the instructed the Executive Council to “use Brigade involved in dispute and used to all measures necessary, including indus­ consolidate and galvanise support from trial action, to defend existing conditions the membership nationally”. of service.” Mover John McDonald, hailing the “Conditions of service exist because Merseyside victory which resulted in 90 FBU members are prepared to fight to new fire service jobs, believed that "we achieve and retain them ,” said London need a recall conference to save jobs”. representative Sam Wakeford. “We must Opposing the call, general secretary send a clear message to employers that Ken Cameron pointed out the amount of pay, jobs and conditions of service are time and effort which would be unneces­ inseparable.” sarily diverted into the organisation of Conference overturned the National such a recall conference. “We do not Executive when it supported a need to keep recalling conferences in Strathclyde call for a recall conference order to repeat our policy and we must “whenever a brigade is involved in all out concentrate our efforts, as we already or continuous strike action over national do, on getting the disputes sorted,” he Les Hammond, Surrey conditions”. believed. Resources for Special Service Cals HE Executive Council must “press for changes within the Fire T Services Act to provide adequate crewing and full funding" for Special Service Calls, Conference resolved. West Sussex delegate Dave Seaman told how brigades have “state of the art" specialist appliances, but minimum crewing levels. While money is lavished on these vehicles, there is none left for proper staffing, he said. From Nottinghamshire, Dave Edwards pointed out that while there has “been an 83 per cent increase in Special Service Calls in the past 11 years, there has been no extra funding Dave Edwards, Notts. to meet this”. Dave Seaman, West Sussex

13 C O N FER EN C E ’96

why it was not being recommended to Conference. “It would be easy to make grand ges­ "Fairness at Work" tures and see this as the simple solution to our problems, but our concern is not about ONFERENCE unanimously endorsed pose to extend responsibility for challeng­ saying the right things, it is about recom­ a wide-ranging statement on ing unacceptable behaviour to all members mending what we believe to be the most Fairness at Work submitted to in this year’s changes to the Rule Book. C effective course of action,” he said. Conference by the Executive Council. “Fine words are okay, but the real chal­ Conference backed the rule change pro­ Introducing the document, general secre­ lenge facing us is translating these into posed by the Executive Council which stip­ tary Ken Cameron said it aimed at “devel­ action, and that is what this Executive ulated that “it shall be the duty of every oping, and hopefully improving, our work on Council statement seeks to do.” member to treat others with dignity Equal Opportunities. Declaring that the statement “identifies and respect and to challenge offensive the specific points we need to pursue with “The document, which we arrived at after behaviour of any kind”. wide consultation with Brigades, Regions, management”. Ken Cameron welcomed and Sectional Committees, sets out clearly the steps begun to address the problem in why and how we conducted this review, and the CACFOA document A commitment to makes three specific sets of recommenda­ excellence. Report required tions," he explained. “Firstly, what we need to raise with man­ agement, secondly, internal changes within on Political Fund the FBU, from Brigade through to National HE FBU “should set a criteria level, and thirdly, proposals relating to for the funding of the Labour Education and Training.” Party and local labour politi­ He told conference that “we have to face T cians” in view of “recent attacks on the sad fact that despite the union having the FBU and firefighters by local policy on equal Opportunities since 1985, Labour councils,” Conference incidents of discrimination and harassment resolved. on the grounds of race and sex are still The successful motion laid down occurring in the Fire Service — and even that Labour’s “policies and actions within our own union”. should be consistent with the inter­ The union’s efforts to promote equality ests of the FBU and the wider work­ are “integral to our beliefs and our objec­ ing class”. tives as members of the FBU,” he It instructed the Executive Council continued. “to review its relationship with the “There is also another factor which is Chris Wood, Staffs. Labour Party with the objective of often ignored or maliciously misrepre­ providing a more discriminating and sented. Equal Opportunities is not about “We hope that we can work with them in effective use of the union’s Political protecting or progressing one group of certain areas, not least recruitment, train­ Fund, including the funding of politi­ members at the expense of others,” the ing and trade union leave, while also keep­ cians and political parties who are general secretary stressed. ing them to their words,” he said. supportive of Socialist principles.” “It is not about trying to oppress white “But we in the FBU also have to put our heterosexual men. It is about creating a cli­ own house in order, because it is obvious It continued “to this end, the mate in the workplace which is comfortable from several recent experiences that while Executive Council will provide a writ­ ten policy statement which will be for everyone. It is about stopping the bully­ our policies may look good on paper there ing of any member. is a credibility gap when it comes to presented to the 1997 Annual Conference". “It is about making sure that everyone implementing them.” has equal access to decently paid employ­ The comprehensive debate which fol­ Moving the resolution, Greater ment — and once employed — to decent lowed showed no opposition to the thrust Manchester delegate Bob Gordon working conditions," he insisted. of the Executive Council statement and a declared that “blind loyalty to any party is not a principle”. Nor was the That is why the Executive Council is serious and determined will to move for­ using the term “Fairness at Work”, he said. ward on the issue of Equal Opportunities. motion sectarian, he said. “It is those who put the interests of the “We hope that this might make the point “Fairness at Work is a right for all. There Labour Party before the interests of that Equal Opportunities works to the is no place in the fire service for racists working people who are the real benefit of everyone and might also stop and bigots,” said Staffordshire Chris sectarians.” people’s eyes glazing over and brains Wood. "The quality of local officials is para­ switching off at the very words Equal mount — if we are not approachable at Seconder Mick Shaw, from Opps.” local level, some of our members will suf­ London, said that unions “are now “Conference, make no mistake, the fer in silence,” he stated. an embarrassment to the Labour result of degrading and dehumanising The call from London for the appoint­ Party. With the way the Labour Party women is rape, the result of degrading and ment of a National Official “whose sole is going, it is time for us to review dehumanising black and ethnic minority cit­ responsibility shall be Equal Opportunities” our position,” he believed. izens is the death of innocent people like was backed by several regions but rejected Opposing the motion, FBU general Stephen Lawrence,” he warned. after lengthy discussion. secretary Ken Cameron declared “Such behaviour is unacceptable in the Conference supported the Executive that the union “wants to be in a posi­ FBU. Rule 26 (Offences) reads A member Council's arguments against the creation tion to exercise influence on the of the union commits a disciplinary offence of the new post. Acknowledging the “strong Labour Party. It is our Party, and we if that member discriminates against or feeling about the need for a National have got to seek to change it — not harasses another on the grounds of race, Officer with a sole remit for Equal walk away from it,” he declared. creed, sex, or sexual orientation. We pro­ Opportunities," Ken Cameron explained

14 CONFERENCE ’96 Labour must win next election "IT has not been an easy time for is not a crime to belong to a trade Labour, and it has not been an union," he said, adding that “union easy time for you,” general sec­ rights must be made available to all”. retary of the Labour Party Tom Sawyer Tom Sawyer stated that “we are only told Conference during his fraternal one step away from the prize that all of address. us in this room have sought — we can­ “It has been 22 years since we last not afford to lose another general elec­ won a general election — that is what tion”. He emphasised that "despite all our single objective has to be in the our differences, I do not like to think next 12 months. We must identify very what this country would be like if it has clearly who the real enemy is and to endure another five years of Tory remove the Tories at the next election." rule. Unions and the Labour Party “do not “There is a positive case for Labour always agree, but we must secure the — Labour can make a difference,” he election of a government which will urged delegates. make a difference to all our lives,” he Thanking him for his address, FBU stated. President Ronnie Scott said "we have “Labour must be the party of the concerns, we have worries. Our mem­ many, not the few,” he continued, defin­ bers have been badly treated by Labour ing the stake-holder economy as “one in authorities in some areas, who have which everyone has the right to work”. been willing tools in implementing Tom Sawyer It would also be “an economy where it cuts”. International Greetings. . . RATERNAL greetings from New were remarked upon by all three Brandkorpsforening, Jon Johansson Zealand, Iceland and Norway guests when they addressed said that “among the same problems were brought from representa­ Conference. to be tackled by us, and you, are tivesF of the firefighters’ unions in “The previous general secretary of the loss of jobs and pension rights”. those countries, who attended our union is now the employers’ Endorsing his call for firefighters’ Conference to honour the long-stand­ employment relations manager, doing international solidarity. Birger Han­ ing ties of friendship between the FBU their hatchet work,” revealed Derek sen from the Bergen Brannkorps and their unions. Best, general secretary of the New Forening of Norway, stated that his The similarities between the Zealand Professional Firefighters’ members face less security, and are problems and struggles facing their Union. combating attempts to raise the retire­ unions, and those facing the FBU, He told of his union’s successful ment age. use of legislation which allows a “citi­ zen-initiated referendum” if a petition demanding such a referendum is signed by 10 per cent of the voting population nationwide. “Many organisations have tried in the past to get the necessary signa­ tures, and have failed. We needed 230,000 signatures — and we got over 400,000 in four weeks,” Derek Best explained. The referendum, asking if the public wanted to see the number of firefighters reduced, produced an 88 per cent vote against cuts in the fire service, he said. "The irony is, the referendum cost the government $2 million — if it had been willing to spend that on the fire service there would have been no problem." Derek Best From Iceland’s Reykjavik Jon Johansson Front cover pictures: Presentation to the FBU by the Justice For Miners’ Campaign depicting all of the coal pits closed by the Tories since 1985. General view of Conference 1996. The cake specially baked to mark 21 years of FBU Conferences in Bridlington.

15 CONFERENCE ’96 Merseyside have given us a lead!

HE "fight in Merseyside was a fight From Essex, Keith Handscomb for the British fire service and for all thanked Merseyside “for the example our members," FBU general secre­ they have set us. Nine months ago, we T tary Ken Cameron said as he paid tribute would not have got up and done anything to the courageous stand taken by in Essex — but Merseyside have given Merseyside firefighters who won their us a lead," he declared. dispute after nine long months. Conference endorsed a Merseyside “I have no doubt whatsoever that resolution condemning the North West some fire authorities stepped back from region of the Labour Party for suspend­ their plans after realising that the FBU ing Derby Ward’s candidate selection would fight," he declared, stressing that procedure for this year’s local elections the dispute had not really been about during the dispute. money, as the Fire Authority had claimed. Mover Tony Carr condemned the This was proved by the fact that the action as “disgraceful", revealing that Fire Authority had spent £2 million in a it was undertaken “solely to protect bid to save £700,000, he pointed out. the position of the sitting councillor for "It was really about busting the FBU, Derby Ward, Merseyside Fire and Civil about breaking our national conditions of Keith Hanascomb, Essex Defence Authority Chairman Peter service,” he stated. Dowd". He also revealed that Labour council­ He had a message for Prime Minister posthumous medals. John Major, who has praised fire­ “Stick your posthumous medals lors had taken a decision to make extra payments to four scabs during the fighters killed in the course of duty and and let us have some decent funding suggested the possible award of for the fire service," Ken Cameron dispute. demanded. Merseyside delegate Neil Thompson told conference “this dispute was about tubbing the FBU — but it did not work. On the 17th of August last we had our first strike since 1977. “It was a very emotional day for me and for all of us," he recalled, pointing out that 60 per cent of the Merseyside members had less than 10 years’ service. “The so-called Thatcher’s children voted for a strike — yes they showed that they have now grown up and are willing to fight,” he continued to applause. “On average, during the nine months dispute, each member took about a Neil Thompson, Merseyside months’ strike action each,” he said. Tony Carr, Merseyside Farewell to Peter CONFERENCE bade a warm farewell to Peter Lloyd, who has retired as Executive Council member for Region 8, having served the FBU ever since he joined the Fire Service in Glamorgan in 1963.

16 WOMEN’S TU C 1996 Snow, sleet and road blocks— but the show goes on!

HE TUC Women's Conference was sion of pornography through now tech­ B y nology has had to be delayed until held this year at the Spa Complex, LINDA SHANAHAN T Scarborough. This year’s delegates resources permit. from the FBU were Ruth Winters, Val Asylum Bill Salmon, Linda Shanahan and Lisa workers in particular, into the trade Howson. Lynne Harding, EC member, union movement. The residents of The FBU motion on Racism and xeno­ attended as a member of the TUC Scarborough were rather bemused to phobia with particular reference to the Women's Committee and Philippa see so many women at the doors of their Government’s hostile attitude to Asylum Clarke, Research Officer from Head factories and shops in such atrocious seekers was moved by Linda Shanahan Office provided support and resource weather but the leaflets were neverthe­ and seconded by UNISON. The motion material for the delegation. less distributed. was unanimously carried as many dele Unfortunately, due to the prevailing Conference began later to hear the gates rose to speak on this issue quot­ weather conditions the delegation not sad news of the Dunblane tragedy of ing examples of racial violence and racial only had to fight through snow, sleet and which details were only just emerging. discrimination which are now a daily road blocks to get there they had to Messages of support were sent direct occurrence In this country at work, at suffer the worst March weather from the Conference to the people of home and in the community. The reluc­ Scarborough had seen for many a year. Dunblane as delegates tried to deal with tance of the present government to sup However, once suitably ensconced, this the shock of the tragedy. port measures called for in the European did not dampen our enthusiasm and the campaign to combat racism and racial show went on regardless. Workplace Pornography discrimination and make both illegal was also condemned. As the conference business began Leafletlng Campaign Lisa Howson, first time delegate, was Beijing The theme of this year’s conference first to the rostrum with a request for an update on a planned seminar for trade Lynne Harding seconded a motion on was Recruitment and Organisation — the Implementation of the Global How to recruit and keep women in union sexual harassment counsellors fol­ Platform for Action agreed at United unions. Prior to the start of conference lowed by Ruth Winters speaking on work­ place pornography. Unfortunately, due to Nations Fourth World Conference on on the Wednesday morning delegates Women in Beijing last year. The Platform were asked to participate in a leafleting lack of resources, advice on dealing with workplace pornography and the exten­ for Action has one simple aim — to campaign to attract women, part-time improve the lives and welfare of women throughout the world. Lynne pointed out that although the UK government has agreed and signed the Global Platform for Action it has already breached the spirit of the agreement by introducing the Asylum Bill, the shelving of legal protec­ tion to women cohabiting with men, cuts to single parent families, housing bene­ fit, the extension of retirement age and the refusal of a minimum wage to men­ tion only a few.

Palestine Ruth Winters moved an emergency motion on Palestine calling for an end to the violence there in the wake of the recent bombing campaigns and for the two sides to work together towards a lasting peace which, again won the unan­ imous support of the conference.

Health and Safety Val Salmon supported the motion on Health and Safety which was carried and called for the toughening up of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 by Delegates distributing recruitment leaflets.

17 WOMEN’S T U C 1996

for a consultation exercise with member increasing the number of inspectors, ing. The National Union of Teachers unions to be set up to look into the most implementing higher penalties for moved a motion calling for support for appropriate format and structure for breaches of the Act as well as the full prioritising equality of opportunity in edu­ such an event was carried also. incorporation into UK legislation of the cation and training for boys and girls and provisions of the Social Chapter moved training for teachers and career advisers Free Debate by the National Union of Knitwear, to promote equality of opportunity in Footwear and Apparel Trades. schools. The free debate on recruitment and Other topics debated over the three organisation took place on the Thursday days included opposition to Nursery Lesbian and Gay Conference afternoon where delegates discussed vouchers and zero hours contracts which recruiting and organising women into enable employers to call in workers, usu­ A motion calling for the support of the trade unions. Due to the change in work ally women to work at very short notice Women’s Conference for a TUC Lesbian patterns it is accepted that trade unions and can involve not being paid for time and Gay Conference was resoundingly must actively look to recruit members spent in the workplace not actually work­ carried although an amendment asking from part-time workers who are usually women. Various recommendations from the debate included a “shake up” of the unions 9-5 culture and an investment of resources into recruitment as well as reducing union fees to attract low paid workers. Recommendations also in­ cluded training for union reps in their functions especially on how important it is to pass on information and actively let members know what is going on in their union. Congratulations to Lynne, a member of the TUC Women’s Committee for several years who was again elected by confer­ ence to serve for another year and, in fact, came second in the poll.

Merseyside A collection for the Merseyside fire­ fighters and control staff was organised at the close of the first day of conference and £130 was raised. Perhaps surpris­ ingly, there was a high level of aware­ ness of the issues surrounding thedis­ pute in Merseyside amongst delegates and all were keen to voice their support for the struggle of our members bothin Merseyside and nationally.

Vice President in a stew Vice President, “Stewie" , Stewart Charnley joined the delegation foraday The FBU Delegation. and was duly presented with a retiral pre­ sent of a T-shirt with an appropriate mes­ Owing to a platemaking error, the article on page 9 of the May edition sage given that he was visiting a was incomplete. We apologise for any inconvenience caused and W om en’s Conference. Stewie, sorry Stewart was invited to the social evening reproduce the missing address below. on the Thursday and duly was enter­ tained by the FBU delegation singing sweetly our own rendition (Ruth's lyrics) IF YOU ARE A LESBIAN OR GAY MEMBER AND YOU WOULD of once popular songs. Safe to say that LIKE TO CONTACT OUR SUPPORT GROUP, PLEASE EITHER: Stewart may never be the same again and is said to be now looking avidly • Write, leaving a contact number or address, to: forward to his retirement. Lesbian and Gay Support Group As always, the FBU delegation partici­ PO Box 10555 pated fully in what turned out to be a London lively, enjoyable and informative N1 8XT Conference, despite bad weather, freez­ or ing temperatures, flu bugs and other sundry irritations. As we parted to return • Contact the Union Helpline on 0181 974 9027 to warm, comfortable, centrally heated AND SOMEONE FROM THE GROUP WILL CONTACT YOU homes any doubts which may have sur­ faced on the journey to Scarborough on PERSONALLY IN CONFIDENCE the merits of doing this werewelland truly forgotten.

18 LEGAL REPORT Door of the Court

period left to him in the Fire Service as well as a fairly large future loss of earning capacity given that he was quali­ fied to drive HGV vehicles and intended settlement to pursue that type of work after his retirement. HE Union’s solicitors were in­ to reject. The other side strongly argued in the structed to raise proceedings in the As a result of further discussions at course of negotiations that if the member T Court of Session, in 1994 on behalf the door of the Court the case settled in underwent a structured rehabilitation of a Central member who suffered an the sum of £90,000. programme then there would be suffi­ accident in April 1994. The award, was of course, subject to cient improvement in his condition to Our member was employed by Central deduction of DSS benefits in terms of allow him to drive, but we were able to Regional Council in their Fire Brigade as the Government's recoupment legisla­ employ the services of Professor Gordon a Sub Officer. He was a front seat pas­ tion. This amounted to £6,029.46 leav­ Waddell who is one of the leading author­ senger in a motor van belonging to the ing our member with a net figure of ities on back pain and he was able to Brigade which was in collision with a vehi­ £83,970.54. support epidemiological evidence to cle belonging to a third party. As a result of the above accident our show that the prospects of success in Following litigation, liability was for­ member suffered a nasty whiplash injury such a rehabilitation programme were mally admitted and the only matter which resulted in continuing back pain poor. before the Court was the question of and eventually he was retired from the His information was very persuasive quantum. Fire Service by reason of ill health. He and the case therefore, settled on a full The case proceeded to a Hearing on was 51 years old and would, of course, liability basis. 16th January, 1996, in advance of have retired at 55 years. In addition to settling with our member, which an offer of £50,000 was made The settlement therefore, represents the other side will, of course, meet the which the Solicitors advised our member future loss of earnings for the four year Union’s full costs in running the action.

By ALAN TOTTERDELL Education Grants National Officer

HE Union is Pleased, from time to time, to Tmake educational grants to members who are pursuing Trade Union based educational opportuni­ ties. All applications must be sent to Regional Secretaries for consideration by Regional Committees before then being referred to the Finance Committee and the Executive Council. T h e U n i o n wdelighted a s to learn recently, that Brother Ben Heanue of the Derbyshire Brigade through the University of Nottingham gained the Advanced Certi­ ficate in Industrial Relations as part of his Diploma/MA course in Employment Studies. Ben was awarded the Robert Peers Prize in Adult Education as an outstanding mature student. T h e Presentation photograph shows (left to right) Professors Thomas and Morgan, Mrs. Peers, Ben Heanue, Dr. Janet Hannah (course co-ordinator), Mr. Derek Cox and Dr. Ian Sutton.

19 BOYCOTTS Takeover and closure is a beastly affair

AN I alert your readers to the By cannot be allowed to wreak havoc on national boycott of Campbell areas of high unemployment while tinned soups and their DALE CAMPBELL-SAVOURS destroying people’s livelihoods. associated brand Fray Bentos Member of Parliament This is a beastly affair. It has taken Ccorned beef. My appeal is, don’t buy for Workington me from Downing Street and a meeting these products. Earlier, I called a debate with the Prime Minister to New York to in Parliament into their activities in the lobby the American shareholders of UK. On 4th August last year, US food Campbells. All to no avail. I am now giant Campbell Soups bought the efficiency.” The true answer is that appealing throughout the country, Homepride factory in my constituency Campbells wanted the famous whoever and wherever you are, whatever for £58.6 million. Netting £4 million in Homepride brand name for themselves your politics, to help us stop this profits last year, Homepride was an and needed to destroy an advanced appalling closure by boycotting extremely profitable company with technology food plant which was Campbell Soups and own-label huge potential in an expanding market­ competing with their own factories. This equivalents made by this company. place. Eleven weeks later they takeover and closure is an outrage. We Campbells argue that this is a “free announced its closure. The community all know that loss-making factories can market” decision. I say to your readers, of Maryport in North West England and close, but shutting down a highly please search your conscience. Exercise home to the Homepride factory was profitable factory that commands the your consumer power by boycotting devastated. loyalty of a workforce that has never these products in that same market­ Readers may ask why the closure? been on strike in living memory is a place. Perhaps then they will change The company claims “greater gross injustice. American companies their minds. BOYCOTT SHELL

Because Shell support the repressive Nigerian regime.

There’s blood in their oil!

20 WAR ON WANT Construction mission

killing fields and the carnage has stopped but people out there urgently need our help. People were living under canvas or in bombed-out houses for Bosnia in sub-zero temperatures. The war created thousands of orphans who need to be housed. WAR ON WANT N 26th February, three WAR ON WANT. has joined forces with the Lancashire Lancashire firefighters travelled Members of the Lancashire Fire Fire Brigade and we are embarking on Oto Tuzla in Northern Bosnia. The Brigades Union first became involved an ambitious project together". firefighters were sent on a special in aid construction projects after Colin Cunliffe, Station Commander construction mission by WAR ON helping with an emergency relief at Accrington fire station, said: "We WANT, the UK aid agency linked to the project after the Armenian earthquake are appealing to individuals, trade union movement. in 1988. They have undertaken similar businesses, clubs, trade union The survey team stayed with local missions in Tanzania and Romania. branches, and anyone else in firefighters in Tuzla, who helped them Margaret Lynch, Director of WAR ON Lancashire to support this project by to identify a suitable construction WANT said: “When I visited Tuzla last sending donations to: project which will benefit refugees year, the ceasefire was being WAR ON WANT/BOSNIA PROJECT, from Srebenicza and Zepa who are negotiated, and already people were 37-39 Great Guildford Street, London now trying to eke out an existence in planning the rebuilding of houses, SE1 0ES. The more money we can Tuzla. The firefighters donated their hospitals, schools and orphanages raise — the more we can do for time and skills voluntarily using locally which had been destroyed during the people in Tuzla who are crying out for purchased material, paid for by war. The cameras may have left the help.

Digging deep for the fight against present Pete Birch from the Sheffield cheque representing the amount local unemployment, South Yorkshire’s Mick Co-ordinating Centre Against FBU members are donating annually to Headon (left) and Bob Blackburn (right) Unemployment with a presentation the local One Fund For All scheme.

21 RAF POLICE You TH E RAF Police Association has a current membership of 750, several of whom are members of the Fire Service. We are aware that many w rite to former members of the RAF Police do not know of our existence and it is to this end that I am writing to you. It would be of great assistance to us if you could make your Firefighter members aware of us through the media of the Firefighter magazine. Further information can be obtained by writing to me at 407 North Drive, Thornton, Cleveleys, Lancashire FY5 3AP. Thank you for taking the time to read this letter and in anticipation of your How young workers assistance. Yours faithfully, NEIL RUSLING without income because they now receive no income support or bridging are exploited allowance. The Low Pay Unit believes that all workers, whatever UNDER what kind of wages bakers for £1 an hour. He their age, should have: a and hours are young workers had been there for six national minimum wage; the being employed today? Some months but still had no right to be paid for their startling answers are given in written agreement on his Annual and Bank Holidays; a a remarkable report just main terms and conditions. maximum working week with issued by the Greater Hourly wage rates are the right to breaks during the Manchester Low Pay Unit exceptionally low. No fewer day; and protection from BRADLEY HOUSE after long and careful than 48 per cent of jobs for unfair dismissal from the first 68 COOMBE research. 16 year-olds and 36 per cent day of employment. Here are just four of the of 17 year olds are paid less The report, “Off on the ROAD cases quoted. than £ 1 .5 0 an hour. In Wrong Foot”, has been KINGSTON UPON A 17 year-old youngster addition the number of written for the Greater THAMES was working in a chip shop vacancies is still only one Manchester Low Pay Unit (23 for £ 5 5 a week. For this third of the total five years New Mount Street, SURREY KT2 7AE wage he worked seven days ago, despite some rise in the Manchester M4 4DE price a week, often for 70-80 last two years. £4) by Gabrielle Cox. Mrs. TELEPHONE: hours. Sometimes he was Whilst these figures are Cox is highly regarded in the 0181-541 1765 sent to another town to run a from the Greater Manchester region, especially because of second shop there and had region, this research would the way she stood up to the to find his own petrol money. probably reveal similar Chief Constable when she General Secretary A youth of 17 was paid results in most other towns was chair of the Greater KEN CAMERON £1.22 an hour making uPVC and cities in the country. Manchester Police Authority. windows. He started at 7.45 The government is mainly Reviewed by Frank Allaun a.m. and finished at 10.45 at responsible, first by its night! However, he did receive abolition of the wages payment of time and a half councils. These councils set — £1.83 — for all hours over the minimum for 11 per cent Memorial Fund Brother John Ogden 41 a week! of all workers, with the main — GMC A 16 year-old worked 35 sectors affected for young hours a week as a waitress workers being clothing Following the tragic death of Brother John Ogden of the and catering assistant for finishing, shops, catering and GMC Brigade, a memorial fund has been set up. £ 1 .6 5 an hour. The employer hairdressing. deducted £9 a week from her Secondly, the government Donations can be made to: wages for meals, although has removed the right to The John Ogden Memorial Fund there was no written or verbal benefit from most of the 16 National Westminster Bank PLC agreement that this would and 17 year-olds, which “has 573 Ashton New Road, happen. When the waitress catapulted many families into Clayton, went off sick she was severe hardship and has Manchester M11 4AN summarily sacked without added to the number of notice. young people forced out of Sort Code: 01-02-04 A 17 year-old was working home and onto the streets.” Account Number: 43355803 from 7 o'clock at night to As a result 87 per cent of 7.30 in the morning at a young people unemployed are

22 25 years ago in Firefighter

must tell our E.C. through our Branch BEDS OR NOT - a properrepresentatives evaluation that we want the beds RETAINED FEE INCREASES I heartily endorse A. MacKen­ zie’s

INCREASES in fees and allow­ances for letter in the February Fire­ fighter. It puts m y feelings perfectly. I think the F.B.U. Executive Council should demand all Bran­ ches throughoutout theA new F.B.U. shift system to work, a new work asses­ ment and then and only then can we go to the employers and to press for “OUT BEDS”. This is the only way to get a propersay “Pay us the wage that the job deserves”. evaluation in our job. I agree Then an arbitration panel will be able to give that a change of duty system won’t suit all the Retained Service were agreed by the National Joint members but so what! Things in Council on 7th May. The effect of these long awaited increases which became operative as from the date of the wholetime firemen's the past have happened and ata “Fairthe tim Deal e forthey Firemen”. W. H. Barker, settlement, 1st January, 1971, are summarised below for fireman were thought to be good but this has not been so. 1. PoliceDewsbury parity — In the rank. There are of course, proportionate increases at all points for Rent allowance. This happened beforeAmerican I Comparison last issue of the Firefigh­ ter you high-lighted firewomen and the higher ranks. RETAINING FEES Firemen The basic joined but when I discuss thisthe point pay within­ crease the to New York's police and firemen. New Jersey is linked with this and are you aware that they still retain beds there, 65p is in­creased to 84p and the ‘after five year scale' is increased from lads w ho w ere in at the tim e, the reasons 80p to £1.05 TURN OUT FEES Firemen The previous scale of £1.15 they give for giving up the allowance are is increased to £1.50.ATTENDANCE FEES Fireman The previous ridiculous. 2. 56 hour week.and W ework hadare onlya ongood a 40 similar hours system as com­ of duty pared to withours, Shift system working and theour F.B.U.56. Beds came or not, this is our great weapon — scale of 61 p is increased to 85p. The ‘extra payment for remain­ing along and said “ac­ ceptCheap the 56 Labour. again Let them take away the beds, and you will get your rise”.then W increase hat a rise the staff of the Brigades by 40 per on duty’ is increased from 45p to 70p. The pre-arranged attendance fee for it has been. I personallycent think and w bring e w ill us into line with the rest of the never get back to the 48 hourcountry system. on aH 40 e re hour week. Our Employers are at Dewsbury when we voted for going firemen is increased from 45p to 70p. Although regrettably omitted from back to 56, only about four of us voted to stay on the 48 but ask now and more N.J.C. Amendment List No. 5, the following new scales of payment for say they voted 48 and not 56. I think all m em bers will agree that if we went back and took a vote the voting would be very different now! Wnot ay. crazy. way Our back E.C. advocated the Bonus Shift but a booklet came out aboutthey (Service should have for seen the ‘nigger in the woodpile’. They are at fault, not our Em­ ployers. A colleague thewhat Sixties). way the I servicewould likeimprovedof mine to know who along is in in the Trenton (New Jersey) Fire Dept, which with New York, is now seeking a these lines. Then of late36 we hour have week, the sent me this copy of their present 42 hour week (recurring) rota. The day shift (D) is 10 hours, from 8 am to 6 pm. Night shift (N) from 6 Station Officers and above were agreed. Turn Out Fee—£2.24; pm to 8 am. Day shift stand- down is at 1100 hours.

Hol­ royd One disadvantage Attendance Fee—£1.12 and Extra Payment rate —£1.06. Report. W hat isa thatbuild they up don’t this have cooks but their pay is 12,150 received; this made the blow much harder to bear, to m e a com pletedollars waste a year. ofJames Moonlight Dundee

time and money. We the members of the F.B.U. More Men — Not OvertimeDUE mainly to a spate of retirements, the Norwich Brig­ade found

itself understrength.TheChiefOfficerplannedtomakegoodthemanpowerwork­ingdeficiencybyovertime andhisproposalsonthistheirfinancialimplicationswereunderconsiderationby theFireAuthoritywhenUnion’s NorwichAreaCom­mitteetookahandinthematter.Withfullsupportofmembershiptheymadestrongrepresentationsagainstdeal­ingproblemthiswithmanner.Overtimewasnotsolutionandpointedoutthat anycase,therewouldbedistinctlackvolunteersforregularovertimeduty.Therealanswertorecruitupthepresentestablishmentasfigurewasinitselftoolow,review Brigade'soperationalanupwarddirec­tion.estabishmentAsaresulttheovertimepro­posalhasbeenscrappedandestablishmentisnowbeingre­viewed withdistinctlikelihoodofan increase in

m e n b e i n g a g r e e d .

P . Baker, (F irefighter R ep.)

23 Presentations... 25 YEARS Bro. D. Colburn (centre) presenting 25 year badges to Bros. G. Peacock and N. Ogden (right) of Parkside Fire Station, Cambridge. Bro. Eck Mercer (right) presents Bro. Billy Readheadwith his 25 year badge at Hawick Fire Station Lothian &Borders.

Fife Brigade Chair, Bro. T. Shanahan (c e n ­ tre) presenting 25 year badges to former brigade chair Dave Thom so n (left) and Bill Laing o f blue watch, Kirkcaldy.

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