Fire Brigades Union:

12th August 2004

Why Vote ?

Members in the FBU, not only in our region but across the country, have traditionally turned out in high numbers in ballots and votes; but given the treatment we have received by elements in the Labour Party and the press its understandable that some members are questioning the need to vote.

Some may feel that not voting is registering their dismay. This is quite wrong. We must not only turn out in high numbers but we need a large Yes vote too.

Why do we need a large Yes vote? Simple. Talks bring results as any fleeting look at industrial relations will clearly show. Our aim is never to strike but to take action, by all means, to bring people to the negotiating table.

OUR EMPLOYERS WONT TALK UNLESS YOU VOTE AND VOTE YES.

You will have seen the support we have received from Fire Authorities outside London and support from senior and chief fire officers. We must build on that. I urge ALL members, whether you are an official, a member, or an out of trade member not only to ask questions of local councillors and fire authorities but to demand answers.

Your ballot papers will arrive tomorrow and in the next few days as they roll out. You CAN make the difference.

There have been changes to the negotiating team as members asked for and changes to the strategy group as members asked for. We now need you to support those changes to ensure what you asked for and what was agreed by the employers is enacted. The employers are bullying YOU directly and indirectly. Vote and vote YES.

As you will know Christina Jebb was bullied. An act it seems Labour have rehearsed for on previous occasions with their spin machine and lies. Members may recall a Cabinet Minister being briefed against by Labour because she told the truth. The truth on many issues which affected the public.

Dr Mo Mowlam the former Minister for N. Ireland was hounded out of that post so Blair could get his mate Peter Mandelson a job at cabinet level. A return for Mandelson after being forced to resign for a bung of money he failed to declare. Funny how New Labour history is already repeating itself with jobs for Tony’s Cronies isn’t it !

Mo Mowlam was then briefed against when she took up the Cabinet Office role. The Labour Lie Machine said she was not up to the job. Sound familiar? Mowlam herself gives an interesting insight into the Labour Lie Machine:

“The structure of government and many of its functions, like policy making, do need modernising urgently, as does the civil service, but it can only be done with strong leadership from the centre and with the buy-in of the other departments and the Unions. The unions know this has to happen and are keen to be a part of it. But, there is an enormous job to be done if central government is ever going to do its job properly and make sure that the services people pay for through their taxes are delivered efficiently and effectively for everyone.” (Fire Service has the highest efficiency rating according to the Institute of Directors earlier this year no less!)

Mo Mowlam goes on to say “I think the bottom line is good management. Are civil servants trained to be proactive and manage? NO. Can politicians manage? Some can but many have no idea. I am not arguing for bringing businessmen into government many that I meet are not effective managers.

Management in government is about being cost-effective but also about delivering a public good which has to be evaluated against criteria other than just value for money.”

We not only provide a very efficient service but THE most cost effective public service.

Dr Mowlam, who used to teach at Northern College Barnsley, said that delivery of policy does not come without proper management and that this does not always take place. I agree. It also seems anyone who is critical of Labour, that’s New Labour-Old Lies, cannot stay in post. So Like Christina Jebb, Mowlam got the boot. A repeating pattern.

Members may also agree with Mo Mowlams thoughts on No. 10. “I disliked intensely the centralising tendency and arrogance of No. 10. I think their lack of inclusiveness of the cabinet, MP’s party members and the unions leads to bad decisions”

It’s strange how the pattern repeats itself. If you stand up to Labour you get the boot put in. Look at their record. Any dissenting voice gets ground down. Well that may be their intent but grindstones can either grind you down or polish you up. We won’t be ground down.

Nor should we be bullied. In fact we must send a clear message to a party I joined at 16. Not only will we not be bullied but we will not be beaten.

YOU have to vote in the ballot in the next few days and you must vote YES.

A NO VOTE = NO VOICE.

A qualified Firefighter is owed £34 every week they drag out this dispute. A dispute which was already resolved by both sides. £727 is owed now to you as a QFF and they are banking it and earning interest on your money while at the same time forcibly stopping you being paid it. Imagine having a bank account with your money in it, earning interest for them, and when you go to draw it out they pick a fight with you, sling you out and say you can only have your own money when you dance a jig to their tune and hop through a few more hoops for them!

Personally the ‘bank’ can keep the money I’m not jumping through any more hoops for a bunch of lying vindictive bullies.

There is no doubt press activity will grow. YOU can make it grow in our direction.

Members must take a lead and make a personal stance. Members must be active and actually DO not simply let anger build. Get Active.

If you have not yet make contact with councilors, if you don’t want to do it yourself do it as a watch or workplace. IT MAKES A DIFFERENCE.

Contact other FBU members and get as much information as you can. Subscribe to email updates on the web site. Get Information. IT MAKES A DIFFERENCE.

You should also start NOW, if you haven’t yet done so, responding to stories in the national press by writing to your LOCAL press correcting and biased reporting. IT MAKES A DIFFERENCE.

But most of all members have to realize that what will make the most difference of all is voting yes and ensuring the completed ballot paper is returned.

VOTE FOR A VOICE TO FORCE EMPLOYERS BACK TO THE NEGOTING TABLE THEY RAN AWAY FROM.

VOTE YES.

Dean Mills