Merseyside firefighters vote to take industrial action
The action could last up to six months
Last updated 14th Nov 2022
Firefighters, control and non-uniformed staff across Merseyside have voted “overwhelmingly” in favour of industrial action that could last up to six months.
Members of the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) across the region have backed proposals to take action short of a strike as their dispute with Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service continues.
The ballot came after what the FBU described as a “serious breakdown in industrial relations” and a failure to reach agreement on several issues.
Union members took part in a ballot from October until last Friday, with those voting in favour of action reported at 88%.
The action short of strike will consist of a refusal to undertake pre-arranged overtime, beginning no earlier than Thursday December 1 and potentially lasting for six months.
The Merseyside ballot and subsequent action is entirely separate from any national ballot or action which may take place in relation to pay.
Members elected to hold the ballot in relation to the introduction of new duty shift systems, reduction of night staff in the control room to five, apprentices being required to attend the workplace outside of core hours to undertake training sessions, assessments, charity days and exams, and a non-agreed expansion of the firefighter role in contracts for all new entrants.
Ian Hibbert, Fire Brigades Union Merseyside brigade secretary, said:
“Merseyside Fire and Rescue Services’ continued refusal to abide by locally and nationally agreed negotiation procedures has left Merseyside FBU members with little choice but to ballot for action short of strike. FBU members do not take industrial action lightly, but we can no longer stand by as our terms and conditions of service are attacked and eroded.
“The overwhelming result of this ballot should not come as a surprise to Merseyside Fire and Rescue Authority. Merseyside FBU members and officials have been clear from the outset that the continued intransigence displayed by service managers and elected members of the Fire Authority would result in industrial action once again taking place in Merseyside.
Mr Hibbert said representations had been made to the Merseyside Fire Authority to intercede but those calls had gone unanswered.
He added: “This dispute is not about an unwillingness to embrace change, or new ways of working. It is about ensuring that moving forward Merseyside Fire and Rescue Authority honour our nationally agreed terms and conditions of service and treat all FBU members fairly.
“We cannot emphasise enough the strength of feeling shared by all Merseyside FBU members, that even in the face of potential national strike action over pay, we are willing to take action locally to defend the terms and conditions fought for by those who came before us.” Matt Wrack, Fire Brigades Union general secretary, added: “Merseyside managers and the fire authority are displaying an astounding level of arrogance.
“They are ignoring nationally agreed procedures which are designed to resolve local issues. These procedures are designed to stop disputes escalating to this sort of level.
“Fire and Rescue Service managers and Fire Authority councillors must immediately meet with FBU union representatives to resolve this situation before it deteriorates further.” The LDRS contacted Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service for comment.