- Merseyside fire control members vote overwhelmingly for strike action, with 100% voting Yes on a 92% turnout
- Merseyside firefighters and green book staff vote to continue action short of strike in response to attacks on terms and conditions, with 82% voting Yes on a 71% turnout
- Strike dates to be named in dispute over cuts and working conditions
Today, 21st August, results from ballots for industrial action in Merseyside fire service have gone live, with FBU members voting in response to a reduction in night-time staffing numbers in fire control, and attacks on terms and conditions.
FBU members in Merseyside fire control have voted overwhelmingly for strike action, with 100% voting Yes on a 92% turnout. Fire control are the team who answer calls from those who need the fire and rescue service and make sure firefighters and appliances get to the right place.
Fire control staff have voted to strike in response to an imposed reduction in night-time staffing numbers in Merseyside Fire Control Room from the agreed level of 6 to 5 and the requirement for some members to work a duty shift system which was never subject to negotiation.
Firefighters across Merseyside, as well as FBU ‘green book’ members (non-uniformed staff), have also voted to continue action short of strike with 82% voting yes on a 71% turnout (details of this dispute are in Notes). This action will involve firefighters and green book members of staff refusing to undertake pre-arranged overtime.
The ballots come after a serious break down in industrial relations between Merseyside Fire Brigades Union and Merseyside Fire and Rescue Authority and the failure to reach agreement on several issues. (1)
Action will commence no sooner than Monday 4th September 2023 and could last for a period of up to 6 months.
Matt Wrack, Fire Brigades Union general secretary, said:
“This dispute is about the fact that Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service is attempting to undermine nationally agreed terms and conditions. This is outrageous and undermines the safety of the communities our members serve.
“The result of these ballots is a testament to the determination of firefighters in Merseyside to defend the fire service. Fire control staff and firefighters will not be silenced when facing attacks on their working conditions.
“This employer must take responsibility and get round the table to negotiate a resolution. Firefighters from across the UK stand in solidarity with our Merseyside members as they prepare to take action.”
Ian Hibbert, Fire Brigades Union Merseyside brigade secretary, said:
“Today FBU members in Merseyside have shown their strength of feeling, with fire control staff voting to take strike action and firefighters voting to continue an overtime ban.
“Firefighters resort to industrial action when we are given no alternative. Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service has continued to refuse to abide by locally and nationally agreed negotiation procedures. We are ready to get round the table, but Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service have continually refused to negotiate in good faith. Until our employer agrees to treat our members with the respect they deserve, we are left with no option but to commence preparations for industrial action.
“These ballot results must be taken as a clear message to our employers: we will not stand by as our working conditions are attacked.”
NOTES
For more information, comment or interviews please contact Merseyside FBU Brigade Secretary Ian Hibbert at 07966 722784 or Ian.Hibbert@fbu.org.uk or Merseyside FBU Brigade Chair Lee Hunter at 07834 656081 or lee.hunter@fbu.org.uk
Alternatively, please contact press@fbu.org.uk or call 07801047610
1) The issues which have led to the successful ballots for continued action short of strike are:
- The introduction of new duty shift systems – without negotiation – which essentially require new firefighters to work both wholetime and retained and breach nationally agreed terms and conditions in relation to overtime rates of pay.
- The non-agreed expansion of the firefighter role in contracts for all new entrants
2) The issues which have led to the successful ballots for strike action in fire control are:
- an imposed reduction in night-time staffing numbers in Merseyside Fire Control Room from the agreed level of 6 to 5
- the requirement for some members to work a duty shift system which was never subject to negotiation.
3. The full result of the Fire Control Strike Ballot is as follows
The number of individuals entitled to vote was 25
The number of votes cast in the ballot was 23
The number of individuals answering “yes” to the question was 23
The number of individuals answering “no” to the question was 0
The number of spoiled or otherwise invalid voting papers returned was 0
The percentage of those voting who voted YES is 100%
4. The full result of the ballot for Action Short of Strike in firefighters and Green Book members is as follows:
The number of individuals entitled to vote was 541
The number of votes cast in the ballot was 384
The number of individuals answering “yes” to the question was 315
The number of individuals answering “no” to the question was 69
The number of spoiled or otherwise invalid voting papers returned was 0
The percentage of those voting who voted YES is 82%
