FIREFIGHTERS have hit out at authorities for “deliberately undermining” their workplace power by attempting to recognise other unions and associations in the fire service.

Delegates meeting at the FBU’s annual conference urged members to “stand strong” against attempts by local and regional fire and rescue authorities to recognise workplace associations, such as the Fire Officers Association (FOA), to stop collective agreements being made between management and union representatives.

They also voted to demand the FBU’s leadership do “everything in its power” to defend local and regional unions against this practice.

Leicestershire delegate Pete Traynor said: “Our workplace situation becomes more complicated and confused when management suggest a collective agreement could be made with another trade union that does not represent any of our staff.

“Effectively, our managers are saying find someone else and we can do a deal.

“This must not be allowed to continue.

“We cannot allow our union to be undermined in this manner.”

FBU north west regional secretary Mark Rowe said: “Many of the associations such as FOA are simply management groups who act as a front for senior managers to undermine the Fire Brigades Union and frustrate our local and national ability to represent our members.

“I’ll be frank – my members want to see the back of FOA or any other association which deliberately sets out to undermine us.

“The FBU - and only the FBU - have the right to represent firefighters collectively.

“We do not sign joint agreements or attend meetings where associations are attending, and nor will we ever.”