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A Crucial moment
in pensions fight
O

ur fight to defend our pensions

and the fire service has reached a
critical point. After three years of
talks and a year of strikes including
a solid four days of strikes from 31
October to 4 November the Tories
have refused to budge an inch.
We have to be honest that the
FBUs strategy is now in crisis.
We are still putting political
pressure on MPs and councillors, but
we have no acceptable offer, no more
talks and no more action has been
announced.
Many firefighters have been
frustrated and worried about the
unions strategy for months.
When action is called by the
union, the response from members is
magnificent. But each time we seem
to be gaining momentum, action has
been suspended for more talks.

Crack

The four days of strikes should have

been the launch pad for a campaign
to crack the governments resolve.
Some areas made a call for eight days
of strikes. Eight days would have
stretched any scabbing operation
beyond breaking point. But our union
has called no further action.
This is even more worrying after
the sacking of EC member Ricky
Matthews.
The lack of response to the initial
lock-out in Buckinghamshire only
encouraged management to go onto
the offensive.
The only possible answer to the
sacking of an FBU official for taking
legal strike action should have been
an escalation on our part. Following
the reps meeting in Liverpool
every FBU member would have
been expecting a serious industrial

response. This hasnt happened.

Only a serious escalation of our
strikes can beat the government.
And action is the only practical way
forward for our union.
The idea that a Labour government
will come to our rescue and make
things right just doesnt add up.
Ed Milibands Labour is committed
to cuts and Tory austerity, so even
if they are elected (and there are no
guarantees) will they really rush to our
aid over pensions?
We have to fight in the here and
now before the governments plans pass
into law. We need longer strikes, and
an escalating programme of action.

Urgent

Its now urgent that those who want

to see a change of direction in this
dispute come together and organise
before the union suffers a big and
unnecessary setback.
Thats why its important that
the London Region of the FBU
alongside Manchester and Merseyside
have called an open meeting for all
firefighters who want to see a fight in
earnest (see box on right).
Every firefighter that can should
get to that meeting.

We have the power to win this fight.

The Tories are in crisis with defections
to Ukip, and #cameronmustgo trending
on twitter. They are not invincible.
We have support from across the
trade union movement and from the
public. Its not too late for us to turn
things around.
For a fighting union and for a
bolder strategy on pensions its time
to organise!

BUILD THE
FIGHTBACK
Wednesday 3 December, 1pm
Exmouth Arms,
1 Starcross Street,
London NW1 2HR
Near Euston station
Speakers

Paul Embery
London Region FBU secretary
Alan Chinn Shaw
Essex FBU Brigade Secretary
Called by London Region FBU.
Supported by Greater
Manchester & Merseyside FBU

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Firefighters 20/11/14

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