Firefighters will not be fired for refusing new shifts
Manchester fire service moves to end its dispute with the union
A threat to sack Manchester firefighters who refused to accept new working patterns has been dropped by the service. All crew members were told they would have to reapply for their jobs unless they adopted 12-hour shifts as part of new rostas. The Fire Brigades Union has welcomed the announcement that its members will not have their contracts of employment terminated.
Matt Wrack, FBU general secretary, said: "This is a very welcome move that will allow both parties to engage in discussions about the detail of the proposals to implement the planned cuts to the service’s budget without the threat of action by either party. The FBU has confirmed that it will participate fully in talks facilitated through the independent Technical Advisory Panel (TAP) with both parties engaging constructively in discussions to ensure the safety of the public."
The TAP talks will begin Thursday 29th September.
The FBU acknowledges that the proposed changes were the result of continuing cuts by this Government. The GMFRS has already had to make £28 million of cuts, with the government imposing a further £14.4 million over the next four years.
Approximately 20,000 members of the public signed a petition against the plans to dismiss the firefighters. The FBU’s campaign against the service’s plans to sack and re-engage its firefighters won support across the media.
PL