FBU Southern Region 2010 Education program
Dates for education courses 2010 Pension & Medical Appeals 29th January This course is designed for FBU Officials who may have responsibility for representing members at Medical Appeal Boards and who wish to develop their confidence and skills in preparation and representation. It will also be of use to those Officials who have responsibility for providing pensions’ advice to members. The course will therefore concentrate on sharing knowledge and discussing best practice when handling member’s Pensions issues and Medical Appeals within the context of the current arrangements. Introductory Branch officials 3rd – 4th March This introductory course has been designed by FBU Education to help Branch Officials improve their skills, update their knowledge and…
Father and son have been jailed for the manslaughter of two firefighters killed in an explosion at a fireworks factory
A father and son have been jailed for the manslaughter of two firefighters killed in an explosion at a fireworks factory. Geoff Wicker, 49, and Brian Wembridge, 63, were killed in the fire at Marlie Farm in Shortgate, near Lewes, East Sussex, in December 2006. Martin Winter, 52, owner of Festival Fireworks UK Ltd, since renamed Alpha Fireworks Ltd, was jailed for seven years at Lewes Crown Court. His son Nathan, 25, was jailed for five years. Both men had denied the charges. They were found to be “grossly negligent” through knowing an unlicensed metal container packed with fireworks could explode if a blaze broke out. Nathan Winter and his father Martin had both denied…
Fireworks factory boss found guilty over firefighters deaths
A fireworks factory owner has been found guilty of the manslaughter of two firefighters killed in an explosion. Geoff Wicker, 49, and Brian Wembridge, 63, were killed in the fire at Marlie Farm, in Shortgate, near Lewes, East Sussex, in December 2006. Alpha Fireworks boss Martin Winter, 52, was convicted at Lewes Crown Court. The jury will continue its deliberations on two charges of manslaughter faced by Winter’s son Nathan, 25, on Tuesday. Company owner Martin Winter, 52, was “grossly negligent” as he knew an unlicensed metal container packed with fireworks could explode if a blaze broke out, the court heard. As well as killing the two firemen, both long-serving members of East Sussex Fire…
Essex dispute intensifies
Essex fire dispute intensifies as crews extend industrial action while managers admit negotiations to solve dispute ‘are going nowhere’ Essex fire crews have stepped up their industrial action from today (Monday 7th December) to include a ban on new individual secondary contracts and on new additional work agreements which do not conform to national conditions of service. The union accused managers of being incapable of reaching an agreement at a time when staff shortages are beginning to bite. Fire crews had previously voted 8 to 10 in favour of lawful industrial action and since 26th August an overtime ban and other action short of strike has been solid. Last week the chief fire officer announced negotiations were ‘going nowhere’ but offered no…
NHS IT System to Face Axe as “NOT ESSENTIAL” FiReControl Next???
Darling may shelve multi-billion pound NHS IT system A multi-billion pound NHS IT system may be cancelled in Wednesday’s pre-Budget report, Alistair Darling has hinted. The chancellor said the “quite expensive” programme, which has been hit by problems and delays, could be axed to save cash. He told BBC One’s Andrew Marr show it was “not essential to the frontline” and “something which I do not think we need to go ahead with just now”. The Tories and Lib Dems have both been calling for the system to be axed. Shadow Health Secretary Andrew Lansley, for the Conservatives, said: “After seven years Labour have finally acknowledged what we’ve said for years, that the procurement for…
Essex Fire Crews Extend Industrial Action
Essex fire crews will extend their industrial action from 7 December to include a ban on new individual secondary contracts and on new additional work agreements which do not conform to national conditions of service. The move comes after the fire authority’s continuing refusal to reach an agreement over a cuts package which they have already started to implement. Further talks take place on Thursday 4 December as agreed. The FBU refutes claims they cancelled a meeting on 30 November, saying no meeting had ever been set. The union has written confirmation from the fire authority which makes clear meetings would take place during the week beginning 30 November. Those meetings start on 4 December,…
MERSEYSIDE FIRE CREWS STARTS BALLOT FOR INDUSTRIAL ACTION OVER PLANS TO CUT FRONTLINE SERVICES
MERSEYSIDE FIRE CREWS STARTS BALLOT FOR INDUSTRIAL ACTION OVER PLANS TO CUT FRONTLINE SERVICES Merseyside fire crews have started balloting for industrial action short of a strike over plans to cut frontline services. The cuts involve the loss of up to 104 frontline firefighter posts including 36 frontline posts being moved to non-operational work. The fire authority has also extended the use of the controversial staffing system to Eccleston fire station which means longer response times, extended working hours and the loss of firefighter posts. The Fire Brigades Union says this breaks an agreement to seek the involvement of ACAS. Les Skarratts, Merseyside FBU brigade secretary said: “There have been relentless cuts to frontline fire…
RCC Consultation Documents 26.11.09
Sisters/Brothers Please see the links below to download all consutation documents received from the LACC at the most recent meeting. Brigade & Regional FBU officials from the Southern & South East regions will be working together to respond on your behalf with the support of the CSNC. Please complete the form below to pass on your specific concerns to your FBU officials Agenda for 25th November 2009 Agenda Item 3 Consultation Feedback Summary Responses Agenda Item 3 Consultation Feedback Summary Responses v2 Agenda Item 4a Consultation Paper on Role Matching For Item 4a Role matching Policy Document Version 2 For Item 4a Policy Document Appendix A JDQ job matching questionnaire Agenda Item 4b Staffing for…
