STOP PUNISHING UNION ACTIVISTS – RE-INSTATE SIAN GRIFFITHS NOW, FBU TELLS FIRE BRIGADE

London firefighters are campaigning for the immediate re-instatement of Sian Griffiths, the pioneering woman firefighter who was honoured by the Queen at Buckingham Palace last week for her distinguished service.

Ms Griffiths, ex station manager at Shadwell and a long standing equalities campaigner, was suspended by London Fire Brigade for alleged harassment and bullying during the current dispute over shift patterns, the threat of mass sackings and concern over fire cover.  She had received nearly 400 messages of support within 24 hours of her suspension on Armistice Day.

Just two days before she was escorted off the premises at the London Fire Brigade’s Southwark Training Centre, Sian Griffiths received the Queen’s Fire Service Medal at Buckingham Palace at an investiture at Buckingham Palace.

Ian Leahair, the FBU’s executive member for London region, said colleagues were “outraged” at the suspension  –  and is writing to London’s fire commissioner Ron Dobson calling for her immediate re-instatement.  Many colleagues believed the “spiteful and vindictive” act of suspension was linked to a bullying complaint Ms Griffiths has herself lodged against a senior principle officer.

Ron Dobson, who nominated Ms Griffiths for the Queen’s Medal, has recently praised her as a “trailblazer”.   When her award was announced in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List in June, he said it was “a reflection of the tremendous work that Sian has done throughout her career and especially her work in raising the awareness and acceptance of women in the fire service”. He said he was “delighted that she has been recognised in this significant way”.

Ms Griffiths attended the Kings Cross fire rescue, in 1987, when 31 people died. She was one of the first women firefighters recruited in the capital – and currently chairs the FBU’s Women’s Action Committee in London.  Female colleagues will be staging a lobby of the London Fire Authority meeting between 1-2pm on Thursday November 18.

In the current climate within the London Fire Brigade, some rank and file firefighters fear victimisation if they are too vocal in their support for industrial action.

Ghada Razuki, former firefighter and an ex colleague of Ms Griffiths, is playing a role in helping organise Thursday’s lobby.  She said: “Sian has spent her life campaigning against bullying and harassment at work and has over 25 years of distinguished service, which was recognised by the Queen at Buckingham Palace only days ago.  This suspension is an insult to Sian and a waste of taxpayer’s money.  It should be lifted immediately.  There can be little doubt that this is retaliation for Sian supporting the two eight hour strikes.  It can be seen as a direct response to Sian’s refusal to become a compliant manager and her refusal to bully those she has responsibility for.

FBU PRESS CONTACT: Helen Hague 07889 792360

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