26/11 Support the Fire Fighters
Nov 23 2005 10:57
I say we get there at 6.45 and give them a round of applause as they come out.
Circular: 2005HOC0611MW
18 November 2005
TO: ALL MEMBERS – WEST MIDLANDS
Dear Brother/Sister,
CALL FOR INDUSTRIAL ACTION
As the person authorised to make the call for industrial action, I now confirm that in addition to the strike date and times which I have previously notified, strike action will also commence and terminate at the times and on the date specified below:
COMMENCING SATURDAY 26TH NOVEMBER 2005 AT 6.00PM TO 9.00PM
We hope the matter will then be resolved. But we are keeping developments under constant review. We have informed the employers that if we consider that the dates determined will not be sufficient to resolve the matter, further dates in respect of this ongoing industrial action will be notified once determined.
Members are now called upon to take discontinuous strike action at and not earlier than the dates and times I have specified previously and above and on any further dates to be so notified.
Best wishes.
Yours fraternally,
MATT WRACK
GENERAL SECRETARY
West Midlands Fire Service is delighted to announce that the Fire Brigades Union has this afternoon agreed to cancel the strikes which were planned for Wednesday and Saturday this week.
Following discussions today with the FBU, both sides agreed a revised form of words for the offer. The FBU agreed to postpone the planned strikes for Wednesday and Saturday this week whilst it puts the offer to the firefighters to vote on it.
No further strike action is planned whilst the Fire Brigades Union ballot their members. The Chief Fire Officer, Frank Sheehan, has welcomed the intention of the Fire Brigades Union to ballot firefighters on the agreement that has been reached, the detail of which is as follows:
The FBU will agree to immediately undertake a joint review with the Authority on the current duty system and shift pattern for operational staff with a view to completion by 31st March 2006 and implementation on that date or as soon as is legally and practicably possible thereafter.
The offer made in the letter of 12th November 2005 will have the status of an interim agreement. This offer included compensatory additional annual leave, re-imbursement of additional travelling costs, and an enhancement of 12.5 per cent on firefighters hourly rate when working a late split shift pattern.
The offer will now be put to the firefighters of the West Midlands for their vote, over the next three weeks.
Editors Note:
West Midlands Fire Service will not be putting anyone up for interview.
Issued by Claudine Weeks, Media Relations Officer, 0121 380 6101.