Sent to us at STUKFS.... I have read with interest comments throughout this dispute. I write this now aimed squarely at those who choose not to support this cause. I can understand that we all have circumstances that will determine whether we are able to take part. Finance, principle or even a lack of empathy would all be valid especially if individuals had the courage to stand up for those reasons and say this where I am at. It may not be widely accepted but at least you had the courage to stand by what you believe to be right and true, just as thousands of FBU Members are and have been throughout the UK. Unfortunately the culture of fear, bullying, harrassment and victimisation means that those grown up conversations cannot be had, and allows some people to seemingly sit in the shadows. Then we have those amongst us that arguably want to profit in some way from this dispute, whether it be through financial reward, potential promotion or the hope that by conforming it may lead to a full time job. So I politely and respectfully ask all of us to think on this; What every single Officer, Wholetime Firefighter, RDS Firefighter, Control Staff and member of the British community have today has probably in some way been fought for, won and protected by a Union. Please remember that word, Union, The act of coming together, especially in a political context. Step away from the convenient stereotype that portrays all Unions as holding everyone to ransome. Its ironic that every politician in the world whilst lambasting Unions effectively by definition belongs to a Union themselves. Now try to look at where this dispute is. If we have managed to find through negotiation some movement in Northern Ireland, Wales and Scotland why is it to date impossible to achieve it here in England. Is it because we are different........of course not, so what is the hidden agenda? The definition of Politics is The art or science of government or governing, especially the governing of a political entity, such as a nation, and the administration and control of its internal and external affairs There is a key word there for me, and it is control. In my humble opinion it is a loss of control that Politicians fear the most when dealing with a Union, hence why they must try to win whatever the cost. If this is the case then I implore all of you to think very carefully and look to the future. You may think that this dispute does not affect you, maybe because you are not in the FBU, maybe you are not in the pension or you are RDS. But if this dispute continues because of a political appetite to impose control, if its purpose is to undermine and try and destroy trade unionism by restricting its rights, then it will affect every person in the country. And why..........because it is strength in Unity that has the ability to challenge unfair, unsafe working practices an reductions in frontline services to our communities. Communities in which our friends and families live and work. And to anyone reading this post who thinks that this is another Unionist rant remember, when you dial 999 it was thousands of Union members that fought and sacrificed to make sure that there was a professional, competent, safe and well equiped service ready to respond to you when you need it most, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. All that can protect us and that stands gaurd over the service we provide to the UK is us! The mechanism by which we can do that professionally and with protection is collectively as an oficial Trade Union. This disputes headline may be pensions and that is then portrayed as individuals greed. But we all know that the fight is about protecting a standard of service for our customers, the public, ensuring our own safety, and of course honouring the original agreement Without this protection there will be nothing there to challenge sweeping radical changes that will be driven by cost reductions as opposed to investment for an improved service. What is the reality of such a scenario for each and everyone of us. Longer attendance times, less resources to attend, Firefighters restricted on what they can try and achieve because of lack of numbers or equipment, the list goes on. Scaremongering........take a look at the NHS or the Ambulance Service. All do a fantastic job under impossible circumstances. Why do they face such a crisis, budgets cut, resources gone and demand is ever increasing. This is the future we in Fire and Rescue face. How can this be some might ask when we have been told that statistically fires have decreased. Well fires have arguably decreased, in part due to Firefighters proactively carrying out Community Fire Safety. However lets not conveniently forget the Rescue part of the job which is all to often the case when arguing the point. Car ownership is increasing dramatically, the more cars you have it stands to reason there will be more accidents, extreme weather events such as flooding is on the increase not to mention the ever increasing threat of terrorism. Has the penny dropped, now you decide in what level of service you want to provide or be at the end of the phone in your darkest hour. Once you have your answer, you choose which reality you want to be complicit in creating. I wish you all a very Merry Christmas. STUKFS The truth is out there.
Posted on: Wed, 10 Dec 2014 12:23:56 +0000
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