Table Of ContentVVoolluummee 3322 NNoo.. 11 JJaannuuaarryy//FFeebbrruuaarryy 22000044
CChhaalllleennggeess
iinn SSccoottllaanndd
SSttaaggee 22 ppaayy ssccaalleess
2FireFighterJanuary/February 2004
GENERAL SECRETARY
rTeHadEiFnigre. P aanrdts R oef stchuee B Siellr avricee lsa uBdilal bhlaes. pFoasr seexda imtsp sleec, oa nndew ANDREW W
eramnBgpeuh tao ssfia sldi foleyn- tsfhairveei nlpegrg etisvalesakntsito inonon ww ai nlclad ar mari eroeduc nootug ttno bit vyioe FnrBy oU lfi t mtthleee m iwnbideres. IARD/REPORTPHOTOS.COM
totality, to borrow a favourite phrase of our PM, as long as it
fails to address the key issue: cuts to fire cover being
promoted by fire authorities under Integrated Risk
Management Plans (IRMPs). For the cuts agenda is what is
emerging from many draft IRMPs up
and down the country.
In response to this, we must IT’S TIME FOR AN
continue to press the case for a
national standard of zero fire deaths.
And whether in England, Wales, ALTERNATIVE
Northern Ireland or Scotland (see
article on page 4), we must use this
standard as the goal in our battle to
defend fire cover at a local level. Make
Meanwhile, people on both sides are still dying while
no mistake about this, history has taught us that we can
President Bush lines the pockets of his friends in big
and will win these battles, as long as we remain united.
business and his army threatens Iraq’s new democratic
Unity will also be required of the whole labour and
trade unions (see article on page12).
progressive movement if we are to get this Government
The other big issue for trade unions and the wider
back on track over the two big issues that have been
progressive movement is top-up fees. The main thrust is to
dominating the headlines in recent weeks: Iraq and
allow universities to charge “variable” fees, introducing the
education.
effective privatisation of higher education. Variable fees
As fate would have it, within a day of the Fire and
will mean that elite universities will choose rich students,
Rescue Services Bill debate, the Hutton Inquiry had
creating a bigger divide than that which already exists.
published its findings and MPs had cast their votes on
Rich and poor universities will mirror the income – and
top-up fees.
class – base of their students.
Hutton, of course, never was going to get to the heart
This legislation has and promises to continue sharply
of the issue that really matters – whether there was any
dividing the Labour Party for some time to come as it
justification at all for going to war in the first place. That
makes its way through Parliament. The Tories will no doubt
wasn’t the noble Lord’s brief – and deliberately so.
exploit these divisions.
We know the answer to that question in any case. We
And for what? Blair says top-up fees are the only way to
know the 45 minute threat is bogus. We know there are no
fund an expansion in university places. But let’s face it, if
weapons of mass destruction, because nine months after
we spent the £3.8 billion Gordon Brown has set aside for
toppling Saddam, the Anglo-American occupation force
the occupation of Iraq on the occupation of university
still can’t find a single one.
Published by The Fire Brigades Union
Bradley House,68 Coombe Road,
Kingston Upon Thames,Surrey KT2 7AE
Design:[email protected]
Print:Folium Print,Kingsbury Business Park,
Volume 32 No. 1 January/February 2004
KingsburyRoad,Minworth,Birmingham B76 9DL
FireFighterJanuary/February 2004 3
INSIDE
4 A view from Scotland
places, would top-up fees really be necessary? And would Unity and political awareness are
they be necessary if we reduced our defence spending to key as the Union moves forward
the European Union average of 2% of GDP so we could
direct resources, not to a war on a defenceless country, but
a war on ignorance at home. 6 Fire safety
Of course, that type of thinking is not New Labour. Michael Clapham MP rejects the
Since 1997, Mr Blair has pushed through big cuts to view that the Government wants a
corporation tax, boosting company profits by over £20 Fire and Rescue Service on the
billion. If today, we had the same top rate of company cheap
taxation as the European average, the public purse would
9 The party belongs to us
bftuoeners d tT£pieo2nurp gbmb- liiuiilnclnpi oois nfenteghr eb vetsiehrc, teealti rskebe,er aia nosfsoic fcoflu ,ufp n wdGrdiiinotnahcvtgi ei aoptrlhnlnle e tmhsh F ooeeisrfn epp tt oih Stpseeaoi rltwslvii vicaeceynle f,id a.ma rrmeep elsaitacbaanottseui-o ttnhsat TtLioambneoy ufBore rPn uannr taiyorgnus etso t rheactl animow t hise the STEFANO CAGNONI/REPORTDIGITAL.CO.UK
has underpinned the election of Labour governments 12 Fighting for free trade unions in Iraq
since 1945. These principles are universal entitlements to EC member Brian Joyce reports on a visit to the
health care, benefits, pensions and education – all funded occupied, war-torn country
out of national insurance contributions and progressive
taxation.
But in the place of collectivism, Downing Street
advisors want unfettered individualism – and the
domination of privilege, corporate arrogance and military
power. We have to fight this view – a view promoted by
the same senior civil servants, with the same free market
mentality, who advised Mrs Thatcher.
Mr Blair, like the Iron Lady, likes to say he’s not for
turning. Indeed, he says he’s got no plan B. Well, plan A has
been drawn up for the benefit of a minority of rich and
powerful and offers nothing to the working people of this
country. Role on plan B.
17 Stage 2 pay scales
Firefighter reproduces the full details
Andy Gilchrist
COVER PICTURE:PPAA PPHHOOTTOOSS
F B U CO N F I D E N T I A L S T R E S S A N D S U P P O R T L I N E
0 8 0 0 7 8 3 4 7 7 8
DON’T BE BULLIED,DON’T GET STRESSED,GET HELP FROM THE FBU FREE SERVICE
4FireFighterJanuary/February 2004
SCOTLAND
Fighting
for a truly
John McDonald,
‘modernised’
EC Member for
Region1, outlines
the priorities for
the Scottish FBU
Service
and its members
THEFBU in Scotland moves into the New Year having made tion”. A truly “modernised” service has at its heart a commitment
detailed responses to the White Paper on the Future of the Fire to providing sufficient resources to protect the public 24 hours a
and Rescue Service in Scotland and the development of day 365 days a year.
Integrated Risk Management Plans. Integrated Risk Management, if used correctly, can be used to
The Union’s response to these issues will be communicated to truly modernise and enhance and develop our life saving skills;
all Branches, Fire Boards, MSPs and of course the Scottish but IRMPs must not be used as a false justification for increasing
Executive. We will be conducting an extensive campaign to attendance times and reducing the number of firefighters
ensure that public and firefighters’ safety is at the forefront of the attending incidents. Emergency control staff must be recognised
new legislation. for the magnificent cost effective service they provide, a level of
We have been canvassing and received support from across service, second to none in the field of emergency call handling. If
the political spectrum on issues such as a zero tolerance rate for IRMPs are put forward by Brigades without proper consultation
deaths by fire. Tragically Scotland suffers twice as many deaths and prove to be unprofessional and dangerous, they will be chal-
per head of population than the rest of the UK. This intolerable lenged politically, publicly and by FBU members who I am certain
situation cannot be accepted and all within the Fire and Rescue will never stand aside when public safety is threatened.
Service community must be The greatest and most
Unity and political awareness are of the
involved in developing a truly valuable strength of the
modern service based on the utmost importance as we campaign for a Service is the magnificent
highest standard of Service contribution made by fire-
first class Fire and Rescue Service with first
delivery. fighters and emergency
We have all been sick- class pay and conditions for FBU members control staff. They must be
ened during the recent dis- respected and rewarded by
pute by the Government’s attack on the Service. They failed to professional pay; the Service will never be enhanced if the
recognise or ignored the fact that the Service has a long standing workforce continues to be treated with disdain by the politicians
reputation as the highest performing service within the public and employers. Mucking about with honouring the pay settle-
sector. Sadly there were a small group of Chief Officers who ment or attempting to worsen conditions of service will only
looked to their own careers and remuneration and gave support result in ongoing disputes and a poorer service.
to the politicians to the detriment of the Service and personnel. The pay settlement was won in the face of the most vicious and
The Government must stop playing politics with the Service. sustained attack that any Union has faced since the Tories set out
They hide behind a flawed and dangerous view of “modernisa- to destroy the National Union of Mineworkers. The Government,
FireFighterJanuary/February 2004 5
DAVID CHESKIN/PA PHOTOS WSncueor ststehisso,h uw nlhduo tr hsheianrvyke of
been taking
discontinuous
strike action for
nearly two years
and have not
received any pay
increase
September 2003: Scottish
nursery nurses
demonstrated in Edinburgh
during a two-day strike over
low pay for the 5,000 nurses
in Scotland
media and many senior managers shamefully disparaged fire- solidarity in their own struggles. When we reflect on our pay
fighters and emergency fire control staff portraying us as dinosaurs settlement we should also think of groups such as the nursery
unwilling to develop our life-saving skills, contrary to the findings nurses in Scotland who have been taking discontinuous strike
of every audit or review of the Service. The truth was sacrificed for action for nearly two years and have not received one penny of a
political expediency by a Government which demonstrated a total pay increase. I urge all our members to make contact with and
lack of understanding of the Fire Service. support the nurses in their campaign for professional pay.
This Government has a deplorable attitude to all public sector The Scottish Executive has a unique opportunity to deliver a
workers and would rather hive off and privatise services which any Service fit for the new millennium.
rational person would understand should not be run purely on If it fails to listen to the public and Fire and Rescue Service
the basis of private profit. workers it will fall to the FBU and its members to lead the fight for
Scottish FBU members and their families showed magnificent the future of the Fire and Rescue Service. Unity and political
courage, imagination and solidarity throughout the dispute. We awareness are of the utmost importance as we campaign for a
were aided by workers and trade unions who gave us unstinting first class Fire and Rescue Service with first class pay and condi-
support during the dispute and we owe them our support and tions for all FBU members.
6FireFighterJanuary/February 2004
FIRE SAFETY
Challenge is huge
Michael Clapham matter. It is clear that in a move to a risk assessment based
Service, fire protection equipment will figure prominently in the
MP rejects the view
mitigation of the risk. But they will have to be robust, durable and
that the reliable if they are to ensure confidence in their use.
The statistics above include arson attacks which have
Government wants
increased alarmingly for the period referred to. There are 20
a Fire and Rescue schools damaged or destroyed every week as a result of arson. It is
estimated – when the costs of disruption are included – that
Service on the
school arson costs around £115 million. A further worrying trend is
cheap the increase in the number of arson attacks made when schools
are occupied.
Plainly a move to a risk assessment based Service also places a
new emphasis on using fire protection systems as part of an engi-
THEAll Party Fire Safety Group has built up quite a reputation for neered solution. In schools this means fitting sprinkler systems.
its balanced and informed approach to Fire Safety. It regularly Engineered solutions should also allow for more innovation in
holds seminars with inputs from major players in the industry. The building design.
group’s objective approach has led to it being able to exert some As I mentioned above, Chief Fire Officers have completed
influence with Ministers and assist in a positive way. their Integrated Risk Assessments and I understand that in South
Currently the industry is going through a significant change as Yorkshire, where my constituents live, the FBU has been engaged
the Fire and Rescue Service moves to a risk management in the exercise. It is right that their contribution should be
approach. Most Chief Fire Officers have now completed their welcomed nationally as well as regionally because they represent
Integrated Risk Management a professional workforce
Plans and identified where committed to ensuring the
There are already some good examples
their resources need to be safety of the public.
allocated. Regionalisation of the Fire
in the community of a risk management
The Fire and Rescue and Rescue Service is causing
Services Bill is the first major some concern already. This
approach that may lend some lessons
piece of fire legislation in 50 comes about because
years. The Government says although the emphasis is still
this legislation is to ensure that the Fire and Rescue Services are on communities it will involve deploying available resources to
better equipped to respond to the changing demands placed on more strategic locations. This is bound to have local political
them in the modern world. implications and consequences.
All those involved in protecting the public from the danger of There are already some good examples in the community of a
fire recognise the challenges. The FBU had already responded to risk management approach that may lend some lessons. The
the need to modernise and its endeavours in this respect were Crime Reduction partnerships are just one. They have devised
recognised. True, the agenda may have been a little different but over the last year or so ways of managing and controlling the risk
it was just as community-oriented as is the new approach. of crime in the community. Valuable lessons can be gained from
The current statistics indicate the size of the challenge we all their approach.
face. In the 12 months to September 2002 there were 41,400 fires And I would add a word of caution to those who see the new
in buildings other than domestic premises. In the same period approach to providing a Fire and Rescue Service on the cheap.
there were 282,900 false alarms due to apparatus failure. That is Mitigating the risk of crime in the community and making people
an increase of 2 per cent on the previous year. Something has to feel safer in their homes has not been achieved at a cut price rate
be done to help resolve this problem because it is putting the and nor will it be in the future.
public at risk and wasting valuable resources.
In this context it was good to hear that the Home Office is to Michael Clapham is Chair of the all Party Fire Safety Group and MP for
resurrect the working party that previously looked into this Barnsley West and Penistone
FireFighterJanuary/February 2004 7
NEWS IN BRIEF
EMPLOYMENT RELATIONS introduced to resolve more
BILL DISAPPOINTS work disputes in the workplace
The trade union movement has is a “squandered” opportunity
expressed strong criticisms of that could in fact lead to an
the Employment Relations Bill, increase in Employment
which was debated in the Tribunals and threaten an
House of Commons on January employee’s right to a fair
14. Unison has attacked the Bill hearing, according to the TUC.
for “tinkering round the edges The Employment Act 2002
rather than carrying out a full introduced an obligation on all
Three in four staff have been people into what would
review of employment employers to use a minimum
to work when ill, according to happen if they don’t struggle
legislation”. three-step procedure to deal
a poll commissioned by the into work.
The new Act will allow with employee disciplinary or
TUC. The poll finds that as The TUC poll shows that
information and consultation grievance issues and for
many as one in five say they the commonest reason
rights for employees of large employees to have the right to
have been to work when too people give for going to work
firms. Unions will also be use this procedure written into
ill in the last month alone and when too ill is that “people
entitled to expel people for their contract.
nearly half say they have in depend on the job I do, and I
membership of racist the last year. didn’t want to let them down” MPs supported the Act, as
organisations. As sickness absence at (42 per cent). Though a did the TUC on the whole,
But the Government is not work last year was the lowest significant minority (16 per because it aimed to create a
planning to repeal the eight- since CBI surveys began and cent) say they went to work universal system for dealing
week rule, whereby employers fell six per cent from the because they “would have lost with problems within the
can legally dismiss striking previous year, the TUC says pay and couldn’t afford it.” workplace, avoiding tribunals
workers. The Transport & that too many people may “We are not the nation of wherever possible, particularly
General Workers Union, whose now be going to work when malingerers that some paint,” in small businesses.
members at Friction Dynamex they would be better off says TUC General Secretary But in publishing the draft
in north Wales were victims of recovering at home, rather Brendan Barber. “In fact we Regulations to implement the
the eight-week rule, will be than infecting their struggle into work even when minimum procedures the
pressing MPs to put forward colleagues. we are too ill to do so because Government has made it clear
amendments to remove it. The TUC says that we don’t want to let people that it will break this pledge.
Unions are also calling for advertising can be down. It’s all part of our long Employees will not have a
measures enshrining the right irresponsible. Campaigns for hours culture. Indeed long contractual right to use the
to be a member of a trade cold remedies too often hours, stress and increasing three-step procedures (written
union and the right to strike focus on trying to frighten workloads make people sick.” grievance, hearing and appeal)
established in British law. and the procedures will not
There is also be regarded as having voted businesses with 21 or less apply to oral and written
disappointment that the against. employees. Current UK union warnings or suspensions.
Government is unwilling to law is “arbitrary, discriminatory, Therefore employers will have
MILLIONS OF WORKERS
strengthen the fairness at work irrational, inconsistent with no duty to use the procedures
DENIED VOICE AT WORK
legislation enacted in its first international law and out of to deal with day-to-day
term. Companies with fewer Three years after the majority of step with other countries,” says workplace issues – in practice
than 21 people remain exempt workers won the right to be the report. the procedures will only apply
from recognition legislation. represented by a union, six The TUC has called on the when an employer has already
Consequently 6 million million employees in small firms Government to bring the UK decided to sack someone.
workers are denied trade union are still being denied a voice at into line with employment The TUC believes that the
representation. work, according to a new report laws in Europe and remove the new rules will create confusion
People attempting to gain by the TUC. The next step: Trade small firms exemption from and uncertainty for employees
recognition in their workplace union recognition in small union recognition laws. and employers alike and could
are not to be given legal enterprises says that nowhere lead to an increase in tribunal
WORK DISPUTE
protection from victimisation else in Europe is there a similar applications and appeals.
SYSTEM
or dismissal. Those who abstain bar to unions wanting to recruit
Sources: www.lrd.org.uk
in recognition ballots will still and represent people in A package of laws being www.tuc.org.uk
8FireFighterJanuary/February 2004
HEALTH AND SAFETY
INFORMATION ON practical guidance about how l Medical examination and Atmospheres Regulations
WORKERS’HEALTH to comply with data protection testing of workers 2002 (DSEAR). The ACOPs are
The UK’s Information law when handling information l Drug and alcohol testing intended to help employers
Commissioner Richard Thomas about worker’s health. l Genetic testing in the eliminate or reduce fire and
has issued a draft of the fourth The draft Code contains workplace. explosion risks from dangerous
www.informationcommissioner.gov.uk substances. They cover: design
and final part of his general guidance on handling
of plant, equipment and
Employment Practices Data health information about DANGEROUS
workplaces; storage of
Protection Code – Information workers. It also includes SUBSTANCES
dangerous substances; control
About Workers’ Health – for a sections dealing specifically The HSE has published four
and mitigation measures; and
three month period of with: approved codes of practice
safe maintenance, repair and
consultation. The Code aims to l The operation of (ACOPs) on Dangerous
cleaning procedures.
give employers clear and occupational health schemes Substances and Explosive www.hse.gov.uk
EQUALITY
PUBLIC BODIES AND they suffer the most in the discrimination, following a
DISABILITY armed forces, police and formal investigation.
The inclusion in the new judiciary, women make up 45% The report details the
disability bill of a legal duty to of the chief executives of evidence leading to the finding
promote equality – similar to voluntary organisations, 36% of unlawful racial
of public appointments to
the duty to promote race discrimination and catalogues
various government bodies
equality – has been welcomed 14 areas of failure uncovered
and 29% of health service chief
by the Disability Rights by the investigation.
executives. In trade unions,
Commission (DRC). These failure areas were
women make up 18% of
The new duty will require found across the board in the
general secretaries or an
public bodies to produce clear three prisons examined in
equivalent post.
policies and action plans to investigation: HMP Brixton,
tackle disability discrimination. …AND OVER PAY Feltham Young Offenders
The draft bill also has
Women may be destined for Institute and HMP Parc.
measures to protect people
major disappointment over CRE Chair Trevor Phillips
with long-term progressive
their salaries, according to new says: “One in four prisoners is
conditions – such as cancer,
Women hold less than 10% of research carried out by BMRB from an ethnic minority,
HIV and multiple sclerosis –
the most senior positions in Access Omnibus Surveys for compared with one in eleven
from discrimination.
many areas of public life the Equal Opportunities amongst the whole population
DRC Chair Bert Massie said
Commission (EOC). 88% of in England and Wales. And
the provision for a public a report published by the
women surveyed, rising to 94% worryingly, this disproportion
sector duty to promote Equal Opportunities
of those aged 24 and under,
is growing…
disability equality will have Commission (EOC). Sex and expect to earn the same as a
“What’s most shocking
“seismic implications” in power: who runs Britain? man with the same
about this report is that,
reforming practices and reveals that women make up qualifications. Recent data
despite numerous wake-up
policies across a wide range of just 7% of the senior judiciary, shows the difference in
activities. 7% of senior police officers, average pay between men and calls, Prison Service managers
www.drc-gb.org 9% of top of business leaders persistently failed to tackle
women working full time is
and 9% of national racism in their institutions and
£559 per month.
WOMEN STRUGGLE TO
newspapers. www.eoc.org.uk that very often they also failed
THE TOP
In the public and voluntary to implement their own
Women still hold less than sectors, women’s average RACISM AND policies on racial
10% of the most senior representation is 20% but PRISONS discrimination, abuse and
positions in many areas of there is a wide disparity The CRE has found HM Prison harassment.”
British public life, according to between various jobs. While Service guilty of racial www.cre.gov.uk
FireFighterJanuary/February 2004 9
LABOUR LINK
The party
belongs STEFANO CAGNONI/REPORTDIGITAL.CO.UK
to us
Tony Benn argues that now is the time
for unions to reclaim the Labour Party
NOWthat the RMT has agreed to allow some of its branches to
affiliate to the Scottish Socialist Party, it is being argued by some
members of the Labour Party that this must lead to its disaffilia-
tion because an affiliated organisation cannot be permitted to
fund candidates who are standing against Labour candidates in Tony Benn: any serious trade union that wants to influence
an election. events or shape Labour policy must necessarily ask what
This was, of course, the same argument that led the NEC to influence they would have away from Labour
expel Ken Livingstone from the Party after he stood as an inde-
pendent and defeated Frank Dobson the official Labour
candidate to be the Mayor of London. Socialist Party of Great Britain, the Communist Party of Britain
The tension between New Labour and many members of the and the Communist Party itself.
trade unions has to be recognised and understood, because it is In the recent Brent East by-election, which Labour lost to the
based upon many of the policies carried through by the Liberal-Democrats, the Socialist Labour Party gained only 111
Government which are held to be hostile to the labour votes and the Socialist Alliance less than 400, which made
movement, not least its refusal to repeal all the anti-union laws absolutely no impact whatsoever on the voters or the result.
passed by Mrs Thatcher and retained today. Without criticising those who have made that break, any
Privatisation, foundation hospitals, tuition fees and means- serious trade union that wants to influence events or shape
tested pensions through ill-named minimum income guarantee Labour policy must necessarily ask what influence they would
and conflicts over wages – as with the Firefighters – have carried have away from Labour.
disappointment to new levels of anger and distrust and calls for It was, after all, the trade unions which set up the Labour Party
the unions themselves to make the break. to represent the interests of their members in Parliament, it was a
There are of course a number of parties claiming to be socialist Labour conference which endorsed the commitment of the Party
for which individual members could, in theory, vote or to which a to socialism in the famous Clause Four of our constitution, (now
trade union could affiliate. dropped by New Labour) and in 1931, when Ramsay MacDonald
There is the Socialist Labour Party, headed by Arthur Scargill, as Prime Minister betrayed the Party by joining with the Tories
the Socialist Party in which Dave Nellist and some former Militant and Liberals to make the Welfare cuts that bankers demanded, it
members are members. was the TUC that saved the Party and set it on course for the
There is the Socialist Alliance, the Socialist Workers Party, the landslide victory of 1945.
10FireFighterJanuary/February 2004
LABOUR LINK
Fire Brigades Union
Gay & Lesbian
Support Group The Labour Party has never been a socialist party but it always
has been a trade union party with some socialists in it and if the
socialists and the unions left, the Labour Party would collapse,
www.fbu.org.uk/sections/ngl.html
leaving no other possible instrument for working class represen-
email us at:
tation.
[email protected]
It is quite reasonable for affiliated unions to pay their affilia-
write to: NGLC
tion fee which gets them a place and a vote at the Labour Party
(national gay and lesbian committee)
conference but then to divert the rest of their money to the
PO Box 10555
London N1 8XT specific campaigns needed to defend their members.
Phone: 0800 7834778
GETTING ACTIVE
The trade union movement represents ALL working But trade unionists have a more direct responsibility than is
people, regardless of their sex, race, religious belief,
conveyed by the payment of their affiliation fees and be much
sexuality or disability.
more active in supporting the policies in which they believe on
All FBU members are entitled to the full rights and
the NEC, at Conference and by encouraging local union branches
benefits of Union membership. The FBU believes in
to affiliate to the ward and constituency parties as well.
Fairness at Work for everyone and is committed to the
Above all they should be far more involved in mutual support
elimination of all forms of discrimination, both at work
and within the community. for other trade unionists, for pensioners, for students, the ethnic
communities and peace movement, all of which can have a
The group was set up by gay and lesbian firefighters
and control staff who are ‘out’ in the workplace and felt tremendous influence on MPs and Cabinets in the decisions that
they were in a position to help others within the UK fire they reach.
service. Within the groups five year existence, we have Any trade unionist or member of the Labour Party must be
achieved official recognition with the FBU, as well as free to support campaigns led by those who are not in the Party,
representing the FBU in forums which were once
or in different parties, if they share the objectives of the meeting
untouched. We also have an extensive network to
because that is how political progress is made.
support and advise gay, lesbian and bisexual members
Much greater pressure should be put on the media to give fair
who may feel isolated or harassed.
coverage to trade unions and trade unionists and in particular to
The group is run on a strictly confidential basis and
the BBC which completely ignores trade unions unless there is a
accepts the rules, constitution and democracy of the
strike, while giving hours of business news.
Fire Brigades Union.
Without reproducing the cheap media stunts practiced by the
Our main aims are:
H party machines with their spin doctors, the trade unions should,
Ensuring gay and lesbian members have a voice
in my opinion, be far more professional in their dealings with the
within the FBU, and making sure we are not left
press and be more direct in their dealings with the public by
out in equality issues at Brigade, Regional and
issuing leaflets to get their case across, possibly by distributing
National level.
H them on trains, delivering them at home with the good will of
Providing support to gay, lesbian and bisexual
postal workers.
members in ALL regions of the FBU.
H Indeed trade unions should also campaign to extend the affil-
Identifying and dealing with any issues/problems
iation of the Party beyond the unions and the co-operative
faced by our members.
movement to groups that share our objectives for peace, social
H
Providing members with the opportunity to
justice, democracy and internationalism and could help to
talk/meet with other members.
promote their policies through the Party.
H
Distribute information concerning gay and
Just as the New Labour illusion is beginning to dissolve this is
lesbian issues to members.
the moment for the unions to reclaim the Party because it
Any gay, lesbian or bisexual FBU belongs to us and that is what the best trade unionists are now
member contacting the group doing working with the best Labour MPs.
will only be dealt with by a
group member. All
information will be Tony Benn was first elected to Parliament in 1950 and was
protected and NOT made a Cabinet Minister in a succession of Labour
available to any official
Governments, contesting the leadership in 1976 and
unless the member gives
1988. He is currently Honorary President of the
his/her permission.
CampaignGroup of MPs
0800 783 4778 0800 783 4778 0800 783 4778
