Behind Firemen Disputes

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Recent reports in the national press on a series of disputes in the London Fire Brigade involving Fire Brigade Union members have publicised a number of festering problems which have been developing over a long period.

• It is of course correct: that defend against abusive authoritarian union members should unite officers and unite to fight for improvements in conditions of service.

What is perhaps surprising is that this militancy had been suppressed by local union officials until after the union's annual conference in At the conference, held in Bridlington, the EC were able to count on the support of the London FBU officials for the TUC pay policy.

The London delegation further fully backed the EC's policy of negotiating with, rather than confronting the employers with demands for improvements for a shorter working week; better arranopments and Now, after supporting the union's EC to get through the National Annual Conference without taking any resolutions which could • lead to national demands by the membership, the London union officials embark on limited contained action with seemingly tacit support from PBU head office.

In return for their support at the conference for inaction by the EC, the London union officials are given support for their local issues. The full extent of their limited demands are now likely to be met, with an offer of an enquiry into industrial relations in London Fire Brigade.

It is worth noting that in Strathclyde, Buckinghamshire and other brigades which have had disputes on various issues (eg local payments and conditions of service) the brigade union officials have had their credentials withdrawn to force the membership back to normal The FBU opposed the £6 wage limit but one year later with the help of the London delegates and the recommendation -of the EC, voted to support the TUC 44%