Meeting documents

To receive a verbal update

The Chief Operating Officer advised the Committee of the week-long period of discontinuous strike action called by the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) on the 9–16 August 2014. The FBU had also called industrial action which was different to every other Authority in the Country by calling the retained duty system (RDS) staff out on strike for the whole period. 

Partial Performance had not been accepted between the 9 and 15 August, but discretion had been exercised under delegated powers to accept partial performance for the shifts commencing Saturday 16 August. The Authority throughout the week had maintained a good service to the community.  All calls had been dealt with in the usual manner and contingency arrangements had worked extremely well.

The Vice Chairman wanted to express his utmost respect for the work that firefighters do, but felt the FBU was not helping them. The Vice Chairman asked if the following question could be researched and fed into the Integrated Risk Management Plan when it is discussed at the relevant Fire Authority meeting. What is the true risk to Buckinghamshire and could the learning from the strikes be fed into the future IRMP process?

A Member of the Committee wanted to express his disgust at the contents of the correspondence received from supporters of the industrial action and the personal abuse directed at the Chief Fire Officer and Senior Management Team. The Member wanted the Chief Fire Officer and Senior Management Team to know they had his unequivocal support.

A Member of the Committee also agreed that the Chief Fire Officer had come under a personal attack which was totally unacceptable, but felt engaging in long correspondence gave the FBU more ammunition and urged caution. The Member also asked whether partial performance had been accepted on Saturday 16 August because the Authority did not have enough resources.

The Chief Operating Officer explained there were a number of reasons why partial performance was accepted on Saturday 16 August; such as to give the working crews a break.

The acceptance of partial performance had been communicated the previous evening but a lot of crews didn’t turn up for work when they were rostered to do so.  However, the contingency arrangements had remained in place on the day, which ensured that there were resources available in the event of an emergency. An investigation was taking place as to why those members of staff did not turn up for work.

The Chairman reminded Members of the duty of care that the Authority owed towards the Chief Fire Officer, Senior Management Team and all of its staff.

It being moved by Councillor Reed and seconded by Councillor Dransfield, it was unanimously:

RESOLVED –

That the Chief Fire Officer and the Senior Management Team continue to enjoy the support of the Authority for the manner in which the periods of industrial action have been handled.

It being moved by Councillor Reed and seconded by Councillor Dransfield, it was unanimously

RESOLVED –

That the Authority be recommended to agree that the Chief Fire Officer and the Senior Management Team continue to enjoy the support of the Authority for the manner in which the periods of industrial action have been handled.