Fire Brigades Union:

To: ALL MEMBERS SOUTHERN REGION

From: DEAN MILLS

MEMBERS UPDATE: 18th NOVEMBER 2002

The General Secretary reported to the Executive Council today that we are now at a crucial time in negotiations. The EC broke up tonight and they will meet again on Wednesday following tomorrow’s talks with employers and Mr Prescott.

Mr Prescott may by now have learnt not to lie to the public, and to us. Perhaps he could insist that other Ministers and his assistants also tell the truth. It would of course be a bonus if the Media also did so.

As late as Thursday last week, Government ministers and LGA members denied the offer of 16% to 20% had been halted before it was put to us. They lied.

Andy Gilchrist, said: “We have always maintained the Government stepped in and stopped this offer being made on the 9th July. It is clear to us that senior members of the LGA, including Sir Jeremy Beecham and John Ransford, have been lying to the public about this offer which if made would have made the basis for further talks and a possible negotiated settlement without the need to take strike action.

The London Regional Labour Party has thrown its full support behind the FBU campaign for a professional rate of pay. At its conference in Hammersmith today an emergency resolution was passed practically unanimously that rejected the Government's handling of the dispute, and "calls upon the Fire Service Employers and Government to reject Bain, and to return to the National Joint Council to make a substantial and significant offer on pay."

On Monday John McDonnell, Chair of the Group and MP for Hayes and Harlington, is to lay an Early Day Motion before Parliament on Monday, which calls upon the Prime Minister to intervene personally in the fire dispute to bring forward a realistic offer to the firefighters with a guarantee to the employers of Government funding. His early day motion reads:

That this House notes with extreme concern the failure to settle the fire dispute and calls upon the Prime Minister personally to take a lead in bringing the Fire Brigades Union and Employers side together so that a realistic offer can be made with a guarantee to the employers of Government funding, which will thus provide the opportunity of a resolution to this damaging dispute.

The best campaign line shelter competition is up and running. Whitley Wood must be in front but I am sure others will match if not exceed their shelter. And some shelter it is. Well done!

Two other competitions continue. The most unlikely place for a ‘Y’ is still on (pyramids, skydiving, scuba diving etc all been done). It can be as a ‘Y’ or on a tee shirt.

The other competition is the colouring competition for children with the prizes of £100 £75 and £50. It will be decided just before Christmas with a new year one run if we need it.

Joe Strummer played at the London Benefit concert with visual effects done by Raya. We are looking at the best place for the Regional Concert and fund raiser and hope to put it on before Christmas if at all possible.

15 years ago this week we saw the tragedy of Kings Cross. In all the rail accidents, fires and other major disasters since we have been heroes. How was it that we became villains to some? Perhaps because they know how important we are only when we are not there. Like everyone else taken for granted….

Public Sector Pay will according to Eddie George force up unemployment and mortgage rates. That’s funny Mr George (knighted by Blair) its just what Blair said and he was discredited by the Cap Gemini Ernst and Young report. The same company praised by Mr George in the past. What a short memory a person can have; when they have been told what it is they have to say!

David Seaman stopped by a Station to say hello and give his support. Another in the long line of people who support us in our fair pay adjustment. Hope you like the tee shirt and cap David. The rest are on the way.

Where is the best decorated Retained Fire Station? Three are in a close run thing to see who takes the prize!

Why is it that Sky TV and the Mail newspaper are far slower at responding to emails than they are reporting ‘news’? Perhaps they might like to attend the next media course we will be running in Bournemouth when the education programme re starts.

And it seems its not only the Government who are economical with the truth. So it seems are the RFU. Now there’s a thing. I have been sent a letter today circulated by the RFU president. It is quite disgraceful and extremely insulting to control staff and all part time firefighters. I’m waiting an apology which I will post on here along with the letter.

I sincerely hope tomorrows talks and those on Wednesday result in a substantial offer acceptable not to me or to any officials but to our members. I do not want to strike any more than any other Firefighters or Control operator. But I do not want to say in 10 years time the same things I have said recently about selling ourselves short. We have one opportunity to get it right and keep it right. That time is now.

To the researcher. Thanks very much.

Dean Mills
Regional Secretary

Thank you for taking the time to read this. If you have any queries or want any more information please contact me on:

Mob: 07956 502585

Regional Office: 01494 513034

email:deanmills@hotmail.com

Y...because we're worth it!