To: ALL MEMBERS SOUTHERN REGION

From: DEAN MILLS

MEMBERS UPDATE: 22nd NOVEMBER 2002

Want to know what modernisation means? Ask the Isle of Wight. You take a station officer on the part time duty system and make him the third officer on ADO flexi duty system.

Contact the CFO of the Isle of Wight for full details and a bucket full of denials

This government have a proven track record in deceit of the public but this mornings antics really take the biscuit. They say negotiations are “a matter for the FBU and the Employers” really Mr Prescott. Then why did you interfere yet again today?

A full visit is planned across the Region by officials. I will see as many of you as I can. Need a visit? Ring.

Billy Bragg Nov 28th and 29th in the Region in High Wycombe and Basingstoke. Watch for details tomorrow

Regional Mass Meeting this week. Watch out for detail on Wednesday /Thursday in the middle of Berkshire. Will be Ascott or Reading area. Details to follow when appropriate.

Visit your neighbouring stations and give them YOUR support.

A reminder to all the soldiers who have stopped on our stations: Thanks for all the words of encouragement and support and thanks for the coffee and tea it was most welcome. Hope you enjoyed the parcels of drinks we sent up last night and this morning. More to follow; sorry you got caught up in this, and Mick the donation from everyone was a very welcome gesture.

Further update tonight.

Dean

Public Information Handout Friday 22nd November 2002

This Government Lied to YOU

Thank you for your time. We do NOT want to be on strike today. At 05:55 this morning we had an AGREEMENT with our employers. Our negotiations were concluded so that today’s strike which had been forced on us was cancelled as at 05:55 today.

Both we and the employers reached agreement on Pay, Modernisation and future talks to the extent that any action could be suspended.

We were completely shocked when the Government said the agreement could not stand despite previously saying the employers should come to agreements with us.

As of 09:00 we were on strike as a direct result of this Governments action and John Prescott’s refusal to get out of bed and process our joint agreement as it was ‘too early’ WHAT A DISGRACE.

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MODERNISATION

WE AGREE TO IT SO LONG AS YOU ARE NOT PUT AT RISK

The FBU have been asked to agree to ‘Modernisation’. We have no problem with any modernisation where it ensures better public safety and better safety and equipment for Firefighters. But what exactly do the Government mean by ‘Modernisation’? They say they want less Firefighters protecting YOU at night. They say that less are needed at night and in the early hours of the morning.

This is an extract from this Governments latest report of Fire Deaths:

Extract on Deputy Prime Minister’s Web Site: (Fire Statistics page 37)

Time of Calls:

Section 2.47 There were more casualties per dwelling fire in the early hours of the morning. Between Midnight and 6am, the average number of casualties per 1,000 fires was 421, compared with the daytime (6am 6pm) hourly average of 165 and the evening (6pm 12am) hourly average of 189. The highest casualty rate was between 2am and 3am, with 470 casualties per 1,000 fires compared to an average casualty rate for all dwelling fires of 209 per 1,000 fires. The higher casualty rates during the night probably reflect the lack of awareness of the casualties at the time of ignition. It must also be borne in mind that many early morning fires may have started earlier in the night the times used for analysis are those when the fire was first reported to the brigade.

When this Government talk about Modernisation
what they really mean is more ways to save money.

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