Firefighters' Right To Strike At Risk In New Report

The report puts forward an argument against 'the threat of industrial action', referencing the two strikes that have occurred in the past twenty years over disputes for better working conditions and pay, before a plea to all policymakers to consider removing firefighters’ right to strike entirely. 

Tensions are already high in the sector, with one in every five firefighters having been cut from the fire and rescue service since 2010. The report also criticizes the pace of change within the UK fire and rescue service.

outdated and ineffective structures

The criticism of the pace of change in the fire and rescue service lies at the door of central government

Sir Tom Winsor said in the report that “outdated and ineffective structures” for negotiating pay, terms and conditions are where reform is most needed, which would reduce the risk of industrial action, and “If no progress is made on national reform, then the removal of firefighters’ right to strike should be considered.”

Matt Wrack, the General Secretary of the Fire Brigades Union, said in response to the report: “It is not clear how removing firefighter’s rights to democratically organize would help keep the public safer – in fact, having a fair structure where employers and employees can come together to work through issues, helps protect public safety. If Sir Tom Winsor was serious about improving the fire and rescue service he might suggest putting back some of the one in every five firefighters which have been cut since 2010."

Change in the fire and rescue service

Matt Wrack adds, “The criticism of the pace of change in the fire and rescue service lies at the door of central government. For more than a decade, the FBU has attempted to discuss what is expected of the service. The response has been endless evasion by government ministers. To blame firefighters and their union is an outrage and to suggest further undemocratic attacks on the rights of firefighters as workers is disgraceful."

He continues, “Support for collective bargaining is shared across the fire and rescue service, and to suggest otherwise is at best disingenuous, and at worst a lie, making his recommendations untenable and unsupported by evidence. The conclusions reached on the role of the union are simply Winsor’s own opinions.”