Firefighters' union hits out against 'gagging order' on future job losses
Firefighters in Devon and Somerset have been issued with a "gagging order" to prevent them speaking publicly about proposed cuts to the fire service, union officials claim.
The Fire Brigades Union says its members are "petrified" to publicise their concerns over proposals to shed 150 jobs and scale down three stations to part-time working.
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The fire service, which insists "lines of communication are open", says the measures are in response to an unprecedented grant cut of £5.5 million, or 17%, over two years, the third worst deal dealt out by the government in the recent grant settlement.
Angry FBU officials say two recent documents issued to staff – Media Guidelines and Expectations of Employees During Consultation – would not allow staff to display union stickers in their cars or appear pictured in uniforms on campaign leaflets.
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FBU chairman Bob Walker said: "They have never gone this far before in terms of an absolute gagging order – people are petrified to speak out.
"If they could they would be saying that if we remove six fire engines from being immediately available then response times get slower, fires get bigger before we can attend and there is a risk to life."
Last month, councillors at Devon and Somerset Fire Authority approved a 1.99% council tax rise to plug the growing funding gap.
A plan to meet further funding cuts by scaling back the largest fleet of fire engines outside London by ushering in a new "light response pump" is currently under consultation.
In addition to potentially sending its debt spiralling from £4.6 million to £36 million, the plans would see three of Plymouth's seven crews go from "whole-time" working to "on-call", as well as one crew in Taunton, one in Torquay and another in Ilfracombe. The chief fire officer and the authority chairman say there will be no compulsory redundancies, no fire stations closed and no drop in public safety.
Anger over the cuts intensified when Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service (DSFRS) management distributed the controversial media guidance documents.
The guidelines say firefighters should not share personal opinions about the proposals as it is not in their remit and could result in disciplinary action.
They are also warned not to make any comment about Fire Authority reports or decisions, changes to service provision or working practices, funding, the council tax precept or political issues, including on social media websites such as Facebook and Twitter.
They also state that any publicity material surrounding the proposals must not be displayed at fire stations.
Assistant chief fire officer Pete Smith said there were no restrictions on staff telling senior managers their opinions.
However, he added: "When a member of staff uses a sensitive incident to press their personal opinion it may be viewed as that of the service and cause unnecessary anxiety in the community."
5 Comments
by meigl
Thursday, March 07 2013, 2:09PM
“I guess MisterDonut may live in a town that's not affected by the proposed reduction in Fire & Rescue services. Maybe he might think again if his home catches fire or he's involved in an RTA and needs cutting out of a vehicle. Sacred cows (even libraries and public toilets) may be reasonable targets for cuts, but Emergency Services are just that - needed in an emergency and are there to provide a 24/7 service when there is no viable alternative. The use of gagging orders in despicable - those promoting public cuts should face open, public discussion with those who object and not hide behind secrecy typical of gangland operations.”
by MisterDonut
Wednesday, March 06 2013, 10:21PM
“The Fire Brigades Union claim it's members are petrified. That doesn't sound like the roughty tufty firemen we were lead to believe we employed. Do they want their tummy wumpkins rubbing and a glass of warm milk before bedtime.”
by nicold
Wednesday, March 06 2013, 7:52PM
“Please, gagging order for Mr Donut!”
by nickthompson
Wednesday, March 06 2013, 11:02AM
“MisterDonut:
Another right wing rant from someone who's views match his name,and who hasen't yet learned what gagging order's created in Staffordshire,and will be extremely pleased with this mornings utterings from Vince Cable as he calls for tax on pensioner benefits:
Snatch back £100 of winter fuel payment, he urges Cameron -------------------------- BUT
From April 13,000 millionaires are getting a tax cut worth £100,000 a year on average while over 600,000 armed forces families, disabled people and foster carers have to find £728 a year to pay a new bedroom tax.---------- All in it together, I think not."”
by MisterDonut
Wednesday, March 06 2013, 9:21AM
“It doesn't sound as if there is a gagging order at all. It just sounds as though the fire service expect the same standard of behaviour from their staff as any other large company does. But I wouldn't worry too much, in this country we have the liberal press tp fight the battle for the public sector, we even have the public sector BBC to provide us with their unbiased account.”