Firefighters have vowed to do “everything in their power” to fight “unworkable” new shift patterns. Gloucestershire County Council is pressing ahead with proposed changes – but unions say firefighters will be forced to quit.
The Fire Brigades Union says the changes to working hours will make the job too costly for those with childcare or caring responsibilities, and will take a toll on the mental health of a workforce already under pressure.
At a scrutiny committee meeting on Friday morning, fire cabinet member Cllr Dave Norman confirmed that the county council will go ahead with changing firefighters’ shifts from 9 hour days and 15 hour nights, to 11 hour days and 13 hour nights for wholetime community fire stations.
The FBU claims the decision was made despite councillors receiving an “unprecedented” number of letters and emails opposing the change. Twenty five firefighters attended the meeting in opposition to the changes.
The union says firefighters in Gloucestershire feel strongly that this policy is a “kick in the teeth”. It said they will now consider taking industrial action as part of a campaign to reverse it.
Kate Yhnell, Fire Brigades Union brigade organiser for Gloucestershire said: “Firefighters across Gloucestershire will be deeply disappointed that the county council has chosen to ignore the concerns of the frontline today. No firefighter should be put in a position where it is cheaper for them to quit because of the cost of childcare around unworkable shifts.
“Gloucestershire fire and rescue offers the worst maternity provision in the country. Instead of improving support for women in the workplace, it is now punishing parents and carers with this unnecessary and damaging policy.
“Firefighters have made it very clear that we will not accept shifts that put our wellbeing and future in the service at risk. The FBU will consider all options, including industrial action, in the fight to reverse this damaging policy.”
Join Gloucestershire Live’s WhatsApp community for top stories and breaking news sent directly to your phone
Gloucestershire Live is now on WhatsApp and we want you to join our community.
Through the app, we’ll send the latest breaking news, top stories, exclusives and much more straight to your phone.
To join our community you need to already have WhatsApp. All you need to do is click this link and select ‘Join Community’.
No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Gloucestershire Live team.
We also treat community members to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out at any time you like.
To leave our community, click on the name at the top of your screen and choose ‘Exit group’.
If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Click here to join our WhatsApp community.
Dave Roberts, Fire Brigades Union regional secretary for the South West said: “Firefighters are dedicated to protecting our communities, and work extremely hard under immense pressure to save lives and homes. Gloucestershire County Council has chosen to insult the frontline by refusing to listen to any of the serious issues raised around changes to working hours. This will only have a detrimental effect on the working lives of firefighters in the region, and the service as a whole.
“It is shocking that county councillors have chosen to force through these harmful changes despite the warnings of the scrutiny committee and the huge strength of feeling against the policy. We will do everything in our power to reverse this nonsensical decision.”
The changes are expected to take six months to implement and the council has said a review into their impact will be undertaken.
Speaking at a council meeting in December, Cllr Norman aid that only 16 of the 44 fire and rescue services in the country still use the nine-fifteen hour shift system and the number has reduced as fire services seek to modernise. He also said the chief fire officer has assured him that one to one meetings will be established with each firefighter.
Cllr Norman also said the council had listened to feedback and came up with a compromise after it became apparent staff were not comfortable with 12 hour shifts.