THE Fire Brigades Union (FBU) has hailed a “stunning victory” after Kent County Council rejected proposals for swingeing service cuts.
Plans to cut 63 firefighter posts, remove six fire engines and earmark five fire stations for closure were rejected 17-2 by the Reform-controlled fire authority at an extraordinary meeting on Thursday.
FBU general secretary Steve Wright hailed Kent firefighters’ “strong fighting trade-union spirit alongside the local community who have been very supportive of our campaign.
“Without our members’ forthright stand and organising impressive rallies over the last few months, we would not have forced this change.
“This whole episode shows that when working people stand together in unity against bosses’ plans to erode safety and cut jobs, we are unstoppable.
“Other employers within the fire and rescue service need to understand that wherever they attempt to undermine the safety of firefighters and attack our members’ livelihoods, the FBU will be there to stop them.”
In the FBU we are showing that when we’re prepared to fight, we can win — let’s deliver for future generations and defeat the far right, argues STEVE WRIGHT
Since 2010, one in five firefighter jobs has disappeared alongside 30% funding cuts — all while climate breakdown brings record blazes and flooding. It’s time to fund our fire service properly, writes FBU general secretary STEVE WRIGHT