FBU Advisor Winter 2010/2011

Advisor

How fair is Britain?

See p8

The magazine of the Fire Brigades Union Black and Ethnic Minority Members > www.fbu.org.uk

Winter 2010/11

A positive school Report of this year’s successful B&EMM school See p6

SAMANTHA SAMUELS

Foreword Join the fightback We sincerely hope that all is well at work and in your lives.

It has been a busy time since our last edition and I take this opportunity to apologise for the fact that we only managed to produce one edition in 2010.

B&EMM officials will make every effort to ensure that we have at least two editions in 2011. Your assistance in this would be greatly appreciated of course. So if you have any issues you believe should be raised in these pages, please write and let us know.

Articles from members are often the best, so pick up pens/ keyboards and get involved in YOUR magazine!

in November to start our campaign against how these cuts will be implemented in the fire and rescue service.

I hope you attended the lobby and will continue to take part in union and community campaigns to oppose the cuts. It is

important that BME communities are aware of the impact and rise up in opposition.

The government has also announced its intention to scrap national BME and female recruitment targets and leave all equality and diversity initiatives in the

Spending cuts

The coalition government finally revealed what we were dreading in Oct 2010 – huge reductions in public expenditure. This is going to have a massive impact in our communities and the fire and rescue service. Independent analysis confirms that the poorest in our society will be the hardest hit by these indiscriminate cuts, especially the most vulnerable. BME communities are often in the lowest socio economic groups and therefore we have the most to fear from the detrimental impact.

Trade unions and groups in the voluntary and community sector are leading the opposition to this, and the FBU had a national lobby 2 Advisor Winter 2010/11

hands of local fire authority structures. This edition reports on the impact of this downgrading and the cuts in our communities from a BME perspective.

Disputes JESS HURD/REPORTDIGITAL.CO.UK

Hi B&EMM,

Hopefully by the time you read this, the dispute in London may have been settled to the satisfaction of our members there.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all B&EMM who attended a great rally in the capital – it was good to see so many in uniform fully committed to the fight against the fire authorities’ threat to sack and impose new contracts of employment.

The reality is we all need to be fully focused on fire and rescue service plans in response to cuts and the London dispute may be a taster for other disputes involving FBU members.

B&EMM school 2010

Firefighters’ picket at Poplar Fire Station in Tower Hamlets, East London

“The London dispute may be a taster for others involving FBU members”

There was a different “feel” to the school this year, mainly due to fewer students as our budget had been reduced by a third. All the same, it was a successful school with at least five new reps ready to take on the challenges placed before us.

Finally, congratulations to Lud Ramsey on his election as our new B&EMM national chair.

Samantha Samuels B&EMM National Secretary

THIS MONTH

MARTIN JENKINSON

Contents FBU B&EMM have their say

Carole Brown – hoping to inspire new members

15

News At this year’s B&EMM school

6

4 News Black activists launch cuts campaign Racism ‘endemic’ at the top of society 5 Platform Equality?

Only if you feel like it.

B&EMM member Michael Nicholas questions the government’s strategy

Features 6 An ‘overwhelmingly positive’ school The B&EMM executive reports on the successful 2010 school 8 How fair is Britain?

Slow progress in most areas, but going backwards in some 12 International Andre Fernandes comments on recent international stories 13 FBU lobby Samantha Samuels reports 14 Conferences Reports from the TUC and Scottish TUC black workers’ conference 15 Profile Meet control watch manager Carole Brown 16 Contacts and appeal How to get in touch with B&EMM reps

Published by the Fire Brigades Union, Bradley House, 68 Coombe Road, Kingston upon Thames, KT2 7AE. Tel 020 8541 1765. Fax 020 8546 5187.

Design by Edition Periodicals, 241 Ferndale Road, London SW9 8BJ. www.editionperiodicals.co.uk Printed by Blackmore Ltd, Longmead, Shaftesbury, Dorset SP7 8PX

Winter 2010/11 Advisor 3

Advisor

News

‘Wise up and rise up’ say campaigners At the 2010 TUC in Manchester a group of black union officials launched a coalition of activists opposed to the government’s plans to cut vital services in our communities and sack thousands of public sector workers.

The campaign is called Black Activists Rising Against Cuts (BARAC) and is determined to defend those services and jobs in line with wider trade union campaigns.

In the face of the most draconian and indiscriminate reductions to public expenditure since the Second World War, it is essential that BME people across our society come together JESS HURD/REPORTDIGITAL.CO.UK

Zita Holbourne

to defend our communities from complete economic, social and welfare devastation.

Recent independent research concluded that these cuts in public spending will have a greater impact on the poorest, especially BME workers, service users and our unemployed.

Be in no doubt that the cuts will lead to BME staff being targeted indiscriminately for redundancies, pay freezes and pay cuts, widening the existing gap between BME and white workers.

These cuts will further underpin poverty and act as a catalyst to continued socio-economic deprivation, social disorganisation and deeply divided communities.

The main objectives of the campaign are: ●●To defend jobs and services ●●To continue to highlight and expose the adverse impact on BME communities ●●To provide a platform for black activists to speak out and fight against the disproportionate impact on BME workers ●●To work in partnership with all others fighting against the cuts and attacks on the public and voluntary sector.

It is the time for black workers and communities to WISE UP AND RISE UP! ■■For further info please contact campaign organisers: Lee Jasper – lee-jasper@live.com Zita Holbourne – zita@pcs.org.uk

Top level racism ‘is endemic’ Racism Racism is endemic at the top of society, from the police to education, according to Lord Parekh, a leading writer on multiculturalism.

“Ethnic minority representation in the higher echelons of the judiciary, civil service, heads of universities, and cabinet is quite small,” he told the Guardian (22 November).

“Although there are, happily, 4 Advisor Winter 2010/11

24 black and ethnic minority MPs, their number does not reflect their presence in society.

“The ethnic minority representation in NHS trusts and CEOs of hospitals is extremely small, even though ethnic minorities provide nearly a quarter of our doctors.

“Look at the heads of our diplomatic missions abroad.

Ethnic minorities there are negligible, just less than 2%.

As a result, Britain presents a

predominantly white profile abroad, which we cannot afford when we seek close ties with India and China.

“The coalition government’s policy is disturbing,” he said. “They are in danger of dismantling the advances we have worked so hard to achieve by their determination to implement cuts that will disproportionately impact disadvantaged, black and ethnic minority communities.”

Winter 2010 IN BRIEF Operation Trident cuts threat

Operation Trident, the police unit set up to deal with violent crime in the black community, is under threat from government cuts. The Evening Standard (22 November) reported that the Metropolitan Police is looking to merge Operation Trident with the force’s main murder investigations teams to save money.

Lucy Cope, from Mothers Against Guns, said: “David Cameron and Nick Clegg should hang their heads in shame when their cuts mean that there are discussions about a possible merger of Trident to save money.

“Trident mainly deals with black on black crime and if it’s changed, messed about with or spread out around the Met, it will mean more unsolved killings.”

Equality duty scrapped

Home Secretary Theresa May announced in November that the government will scrap a legal duty forcing public bodies to help reduce inequality caused by class disadvantage.

The “socio-economic duty” on public bodies was written into the Equality Act, passed just before the end of the Labour government, by Harriet Harman.

It was the first time that any government had made it an objective of all public bodies to reduce inequality.

The duty – dubbed “socialism in one clause” – was never enacted and the Con-Dem coalition has decided not to implement the measure.

The government is due to publish a strategy document on its approach to equalities.

STEFANO CAGNONI

PLATFORM EQUALITY POLICY

FBU lobby of parliament, 17 November

Equality, diversity?

If you feel like it!

B&EMM member Michael Nicholas questions the government’s strategy In one of his first pronouncements as the new fire minister, Bob Neill MP made it clear that equality and diversity were no longer a priority for central government or his department at the CLG. He said that the issue was one that principal managers and local politicians could now be trusted with to progress.

There will be no central funding for the previous equality and diversity strategy which means that there will be no annual equality report, no national awards, no national recruitment targets or central funding for projects like “Ordinary people, extraordinary careers”.

Under the coalition government’s “localism” policies, the UK fire and rescue service now has to progress the equality and diversity agenda, although there will no longer be any measurement of how or what they are doing. And there is no mention of equality and diversity in the government’s Fire Futures project.

There seems to be no acknowledgement of what has been achieved in recent times or, more importantly, what

was not achieved before a CLG equality and diversity strategy.

So let’s reprise what was happening in the “good old days”: ●●Little or no recruitment of BME or women in the fire service ●●No, or badly produced, equality training ●●Non-compliance with equality legislation ●●Complete denial of the importance of diversity ●●A service completely unreflective of communities, especially the big towns and cities ●●Very little policy on dealing with

“The reality is that equality will be pushed to one side”

racism, sexism, bullying and harassment ●●Different standards of recruitments – many discriminatory ●●No acknowledgement of the few who were trying to bring about “culture” change ●●No direct contact with government officials.

Despite many negative reports, many with “must do” recommendations, there was little or no change.

The 1999 Thematic Review was the catalyst for the change that has been progressed today. It confirmed what some of us already knew and it set in motion the processes for changing the culture branded “institutionally racist, sexist and homophobic”.

The fire minister has yet to respond to an FBU request to meet with him to discuss his rose-tinted vision on equality and diversity.

He actually believes that “the fire and rescue service is ready to be trusted with the responsibility”. The reality in these financial straitened times is that the equality agenda will be pushed to one side with the “protection of front line services” and “belt tightening” as the seemingly acceptable reasons.

The fire and rescue service has come a long way on equality issues but with still some way to go.

Some, but very few, enlightened services will try to progress issues and use the old strategy as a guide. Sadly many will only do so “if they feel like it”.

We must hold them to account.

Winter 2010/11 Advisor 5

B&EMM SCHOOL

The FBU’s annual B&EMM school took place in October.

The B&EMM executive reports on a successful event

An ‘overwhelmingly

B

&EMM School 2010 was, as always, oversubscribed.

This year there were 61 applications to attend the school, with 12 first-time students.

Our TUC tutor was Theresa Bennett and our guests were recently retired B&EMM Chair Leroy Phillpotts; FBU president Mick Shaw; Frank Bailey our honorary B&EMM; Jagtar Singh (AFSA) and Cordell Pillay, AGS of the NAPO probation officers union. We had members attending from all roles and heritages, from Turkey, Seychelles, Arabic, India, Pakistan, the Caribbean and Africa.

Friday

The 2010 school was opened by B&EMM vice-chair Carole Brown. She introduced Mick Shaw to the school for the last time as he is retiring at the end of the year.

Mick brought apologies from the general secretary who was on other union business and unable to attend.

6 Advisor Winter 2010/11

Our first session discussed B&EMM – our development, structure and progression. We had an introductory session and showed the B&EMM film – Rise to the Challenge.

The president then gave a good presentation on the current situation for our members in the fire and rescue service.

He stated that we face attacks like never before on our terms and conditions, pensions and jobs. The students then took part in a lively and informative Q&A session for over an hour.

Saturday

On Saturday we discussed the part B&EMM plays in the FBU and trade unionism as a whole. B&EMM national secretary Samantha Samuels spoke about the new challenges we now face due to the change of government and its dilution of equality and diversity agenda.

There will no longer be any national monitoring of the fire service or national recruitment targets for under represented groups. It is evident that some

fire services are already downgrading their equality departments as they are no longer worried about reaching targets.

She also told the school about the B&EMM emergency motion to FBU annual conference in May concerning the devastating situation in Haiti and asking for continued assistance for the country.

The next activity looked at union roles and responsibilities. Students were asked to consider the responsibilities of three roles and decide which of these they would be most interested in taking part in. Students then divided into groups

Services are already downgrading equality departments

positive’ school to discuss their involvement in those roles and ways that they might want to become involved. We also discussed students’ experience within the FBU and shared experiences and advice for those new members who were interested in taking an active role in their fire service.

In the afternoon, Cordell Pillay spoke about Race for Justice. She gave a presentation outlining the organisation’s aims and objectives.

Groups looked at how we could become involved in working in the community.

A worksheet was provided prompting students to think about how we could take part in community activity.

Students were asked to give feedback to the school as a whole.

Cordell also updated the school about Haiti and Operation Futureproof that aims to help Haitians in the long term by providing the training and means to rebuild their communities.

Sunday

We started our final day with a closed

session led by our new national chair Lud Ramsey, talking about confidential B&EMM specific issues.

The next session was B&EMM presentations and achievements. This session saw us acknowledge the achievements of Leroy Phillpotts, our recently retired B&EMM Chair, for his contributions to B&EMM over the many years he represented members in his brigade and nationally.

We also acknowledged: Sis Pamela Oparoacha, watch manager in London, who was presented with a B&EMM badge for becoming one of the highest ranking operational BME women.

Bro Darren Caine, who has been through a life threatening experience since he attended our B&EMM School last year. He gave us an overview of his experience during this session and was presented with a B&EMM badge for his courage and determination.

Bro Andy Phillips, a station manager from London, who was presented with his FBU 25-year badge.

Post school evaluation On evaluation our members felt that the B&EMM DVD, national report, Mick Shaw, quiz night and closed sessions were the ones that they found most useful in developing their knowledge skills and confidence as an FBU member. Our workshop on national roles and responsibilities of B&EMM officials was stated to be the most useful in encouraging members to become more active in the work of their union.

Small group discussion was deemed the most appropriate learning style with guest speakers and tutor-led discussions also being highlighted as useful.

Altogether the overall assessment of the value of the B&EMM school was overwhelmingly positive and many members expressed the desire to become more involved in the work of B&EMM now that they felt they knew more about what we do, and can do in the future, to influence our communities and our fire and rescue services.

Winter 2010/11 Advisor 7

B&EMM executive council member Michael Nicholas examines a recent report on equality

Samantha Rigg, sister of Sean Rigg, joins an annual protest march in London against death in custody, in prisons and mental health institutions. Sean Rigg, physically fit and healthy, died just 91 minutes after being taken into police custody in August 2008.

r i fa PICTURE: JESS HURD/REPORTDIGITAL.CO.UK

How

8  Advisor  Winter 2010/11

? n i a t i is Br

T

he Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) was established to replace, among other equality organisations, the Commission for Racial Equality (CRE).

There were many reservations about this within the trade union movement and community sector groups, as its formation seemed to be a dilution of race and other equality issues.

The biggest concern was whether the EHRC had the capacity to act across all the equality strands – race, gender, sexuality, disability and faith.

The EHRC’s political vision is “a society at ease with its diversity, where every individual has the opportunity to achieve their potential, and where people treat each other with dignity and respect”.

As part of its responsibilities, the commission is required to report to parliament on the progress our society is making towards this “vision”. It published its first review in June 2010 and here are some of the observations from the executive summary, which is broken down into eight constituent parts – life, legal and physical security, health, education, employment, standards of living, care and support, and power and voice.

EQUALITY

Caribbean and Pakistani babies are twice as likely to die in their first year than white British babies

Life

There has been a massive rise in life expectancy in the UK over the last century. A baby girl born at the beginning of the last century had an average life expectancy of less than 50.

That expectancy is now doubled for a girl child born in 2008.

Medical provision, economic factors, improved diet and better housing have all contributed to this uplift in living.

Some research indicates differences in life rates between BME groups, and also there is evidence that some BME people are likely to die early from certain causes.

Black (African & Caribbean heritage) people are more likely to be homicide victims than other members of the BME grouping. Statistically, black people are dying disproportionately after coming into custodial contact with the police.

Infant mortality is higher than average within Caribbean and Pakistani communities, although it is lower than average among Bangladeshi groups. Caribbean and Pakistani babies are twice as likely to die in their first year than white British babies.

There are also significant differences in life expectancy between socio-economic groups, with the highest group living seven years longer than the lowest. A significant majority of BME communities are in the lowest socio-economic group

Ethnic minority people and religious minority groups are over-represented in the most deprived English communities PICTURE: DAVID BACON/REPORTDIGITAL.CO.UK

and that group is also more susceptible to life threats like smoke-related cancer and suicide.

Legal and physical security

Racist and religiously aggravated attacks are a persistent phenomenon in the UK. BME people are twice as likely as white people to report being worried about violent crime. Sadly a large proportion of victims of hate crime are still reluctant to report such attacks, maybe having a lack of confidence in the police service’s capacity to solve the crime. The conviction rate for racially and religiously motivated crime has risen in England and Wales.

Some BME groups continue to experience policies like “stop and search” and this remains a constant feature of the justice system. Five times more black people than white people in England and Wales are imprisoned and the BME group is substantially over-represented in the

custodial system – 25% of the prison population. Muslim people currently make up 12% of that population. Many of BME group have mental health issues, learning disabilities, been in care or have experienced abuse.

Health

All evidence indicates that Pakistani and Bangladeshi groups are more likely to suffer from “poor health” than average, including mental health and disability.

These outcomes may be related to these groups’ poor socio-economic position.

Chinese people report the best health with gypsy and traveller groups the worst affected. Health disparities continue between ethnic minority groups and the white British majority with some illnesses and diseases more prominent than others.

Education

The report clearly shows that educational achievement/attainment continues to be strongly associated with socio-economic background. The gap between some ethnic minority groups has narrowed and today one in five university students are from ethnic minority groups.

Pupils from some ethnic groups are Winter 2010/11 Advisor 9

EQUALITY performing less well from as early as the age of five. The two highest performing groups at GSCE level are Chinese and Indian students. In some ethnic and religious groups there remain large numbers without qualifications. A third of working-age Muslim women have no qualifications and just 9% have a degree. Some groups of BME males have extremely negative results in literacy and numeracy.

Some ethnic groups are also disproportionately excluded from school. Asian children are excluded at a rate of five per 10,000 whereas Caribbean and gypsy and traveller groups register at 30 or over per 10,000.

Employment

Between 1995 and 2008 the steady growth of UK employment saw a significant rise in the employment of black people of working age (twice the average), especially Bangladeshi and Pakistani people whose rise was three times the average.

Despite this, only one in four Muslim women work and black people in their early twenties are twice as likely not to be

Asian children are excluded at a rate of five per 10,000 whereas Caribbean and gypsy and traveller groups register at 30 or over per 10,000. in employment, education or training as white people. Black graduates still face a 24% pay negative in comparison The British labour market continues to see “occupational segregation”, nearly 25% of Pakistani men are primarily taxi drivers. This segregation also accounts for differences in illness and injury rates in the workplace with manual and routine occupations at the highest scale.

Black Caribbean women are more likely to be in full-time work than any other group of women and almost half of Bangladeshi and Pakistani women are looking after family and the home. This is in comparison to 20% or fewer among other groups. Muslim people have the lowest rate of employment of any group

A learning support assistant delivers a one-to-one lesson as part of a reading programme 10 Advisor Winter 2010/11

– 47% of men and only 24% of women.

Indian and Chinese people are twice as likely to be employed as professionals as white British people.

Standard of living

Some ethnic groups have far worse standards of living than the average – worse than expected even considering age structures, educational attainment and other factors. Indian people have a higher educational attainment, low proportion of workers at low hourly rates of pay and higher professional employment than white people, yet they have a lower household income. More than half of Pakistani, Bangladeshi, Black African people and children grow up

PICTURE: PAUL BOX/REPORTDIGITAL.CO.UK

and live below the rate for poverty.

They are also less likely to have a bank account or household insurance. Asian and black households are several times more likely to live in overcrowded or substandard homes.

Ethnic minority people and religious minority groups are over-represented in the most deprived English communities yet there is evidence of growing material wealth and home ownership.

Care and support

Black (African/Caribbean) children are more likely to be in formal care than others, Pakistani and Bangladeshi children less likely. There is evidence to suggest that formal care services are less likely to meet the needs of some ethnic groups.

There are significant numbers of young carers and a disproportionate numbers of these are from certain ethnic minority groups including Bangladeshi, black African, Caribbean and Pakistani, who are likely to have overall caring responsibilities compared to white British children.

There is a strong socio-economic link to types of caring. Lower level groups are more likely to need care services and provide informal and formal care.

Some research also supports the view that Muslim women may have particular difficulties in getting childcare. Ethnicity and lone parenthood are most strongly associated with the use of childcare.

Despite some progress most religious and ethnic groups are still under represented – although the number of BME MPs doubled at this year’s election PICTURE: TIMM SONNENSCHEIN/REPORTDIGITAL.CO.UK

In most areas BME people are slowly making progress.

Sadly, in very important areas some groups have not improved, indeed they have gone backwards which is very worrying.

Power and voice

Most elected public officials (councillors/ MPs) are white male. Despite some progress most religious and ethnic groups are still under represented – although the number of BME MPs doubled at this year’s election. We elected double the number of Muslim MPs with three of their number being women.

Socio-economic background also impacts on power and voice.

Professionals are more likely to vote, be elected and therefore influence decisions at all levels of authority. There is a greater diversity of elected representation at local levels compared to Westminster.

Local politicians better reflect the British population although still far from fully.

Conclusion

The ECHR review has many anomalies and leaves us with probably more questions than it answers. Some of the evidence supports what many of us have known informally or anecdotally and that in itself is no surprise and no less disheartening.

In most areas BME people are slowly making progress, some groups more than others and therefore there is much we can teach each other in order to make things better. Sadly, in very important areas some groups have not improved, indeed they have gone backwards which is very worrying.

Full report and executive summary at www.equalityhumanrights.com Winter 2010/11 Advisor 11

INTERNATIONAL

World news round-up Andre Fernandes comments on recent international stories

Burma – not yet free

Unions welcomed the release of Burmese opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi in November, but warned that the Burmese dictatorship still held thousands of political prisoners, refused to allow democracy, free speech or free trade unions, and continued the systematic use of forced labour.

TUC general secretary Brendan Barber said: “Aung San Suu Kyi is a shining beacon for the Burmese people, and it is great to see her free from her unjust punishment. But this is no Mandela moment: the Burmese junta has not yet understood that the game is up. We will redouble our solidarity with Burmese trade unions.”

Unions backed the call of the Burma Campaign UK for the junta to enter

into a meaningful dialogue with Aung San Suu Kyi and the National League for Democracy.

UK unions support the trade union movement of Burma, especially the Federation of Trade Unions in Burma, which is focusing on the release of trade unionists in jail such as Su Su Nway, and the campaign against forced labour which the International Labour Organisation has been pressing.

For more information about the TUC’s Burma appeal, go to www.tuc.org.uk/international

Haiti – cholera epidemic

Did the United Nations inadvertently bring cholera to Haiti? That’s the question many BME people are asking after evidence and expert testimony.

Although many Haitians drink untreated water due to the poor state of

infrastructure in the country, there has been no cholera there for decades.

The cholera outbreak coincided with the arrival of Nepalese UN troops in October. There was a cholera outbreak in Nepal over the summer. Tests on Haitian sufferers have shown the strain of cholera they have is endemic in southern Asia.

John Mekalanos, cholera specialist in Harvard University’s microbiology department is convinced that this is the source of the outbreak.

The UN denied it had caused the outbreak and refused to test the Nepalese soldiers.

Instead it called protests around the cholera outbreak “politically motivated” and protesters were met with tear gas and bullets.

Far from democracy, Haiti remains in the grip of the army, backed by the UN, and still mired in poverty.

TIMM SONNENSCHEIN/REPORTDIGITAL.CO.UK

The French government says that the niqab degrades women. However the law makes the dress illegal on the grounds that it constitutes a challenge to public order 12 Advisor Winter 2010/11

Pakistan floods

Twenty million people were affected by the floods which swept Pakistan in the summer, but many of the promises of aid have not been kept.

The deluge killed 2,000, left four million people homeless and one fifth of the country submerged. Trade unionists and BME communities in Britain and across the globe made substantial donations to assist the people of Pakistan.

Governments also made promises, but much of the long-term aid appears to have been military equipment, which will hardly feed hungry and destitute people.

French ban on niqab

The French parliament passed a law in July banning the wearing of the niqab (full face veil) in public.

The French government says that the niqab degrades women. However the law makes the dress illegal on the grounds that it constitutes a challenge to public order – making it harder for police to conduct identity checks.

The law is clearly an attack on freedom of religion, under the guise of secularism.

The ban is also likely to have the opposite effect of liberating women. Iran banned wearing the hijab under the Shah. When women donned the chador during the revolution in 1979 it was as much a protest against the Shah as it was a sign of devotion to their religion.

PICTURES: STEFANO CAGNONI

LOBBY CONTINUE THE FIGHT

Firefighters march to Downing Street

‘If you don’t fight at all you will lose every fight’ B&EMM National Secretary Samantha Samuels reports on the FBU lobby in November Cuts The FBU national lobby was attended by over 2,000 FBU members and their families who came to support their union against the government’s cuts to public services and particularly the fire and rescue service. All B&EMM officials attended this rally and there was a good attendance by B&EMM. Mark Serwotka, general secretary of the PCS civil service union, told the lobby that his union is 100% behind FBU members. PCS appreciates support from the FBU, its members face massive cuts, threats to their pensions and pay freezes.

Mark Serwotka’s closing statement was: “You will lose some fights, but if you don’t fight at all you will lose every fight”.

Labour MP Katy Clark said David Cameron had promised not to hit frontline services. But the Con Dem government was using cuts to take back power from the working class and the poor and to reverse the generations of gains won on their behalf.

John Cryer MP spoke about the need to be vigilant as the government was likely to extend the anti-trade union laws as far as possible to handcuff the movement.

Sian Griffiths: standing ovation

London FBU executive council member Ian Leahair gave an update on the London dispute. Sian Griffiths, FBU London women’s chair, had just been awarded the Queen’s Fire Service Medal when she was suspended by the London Fire Brigade for allegedly bullying another officer. Sian received a welldeserved standing ovation.

TUC deputy general secretary Frances O’Grady said we needed to take the public with us on this campaign against cuts. The government had an ideological agenda to “put us in our place”.

John McDonnell MP, leader of the FBU parliamentary group, said the recent student protest in London was just the beginning of public anger against the indiscriminate and unnecessary cuts in public spending.

FBU general secretary Matt Wrack said chief fire officers’ pay had doubled as they built their empires.

He highlighted the fact that not one chief fire officer had defended the service against cuts – some had even welcomed the cuts as an opportunity to fight with FBU members on shifts, allowances and all aspects of their working life.

After the rally many members lobbied their MPs about cuts in their communities. The day culminated in an impromptu march to Downing St. Remember. We are standing on the shoulders of giants who fought for the conditions that we have now, and we must also continue the fight to save our service.

Winter 2010/11 Advisor 13

CONFERENCE REPORTS

Planning for combat FBU delegates report from TUC conferences

HAITI WE MUST DELIVER

Michael Nicholas, B&EMM EC Member Trades Union Congress I attended the Trade Union Congress in September as part of the FBU delegation – our B&EMM and women’s sections have reserved seats.

This annual gathering of the trade union movement had a special purpose this year – the start of planning and campaigning against government cuts to the public services which will have a massive impact on all our communities.

At the TUC black workers conference in April 2010 the FBU submitted a motion demanding assistance from the UK unions for Haiti – the last edition of Advisor detailed the

catastrophic impact of the earthquake. The motion was unanimously supported and chosen to be forwarded to the September congress. It was a very proud moment for the FBU delegates who had worked hard to make this happen.

I was asked to move the resolution at Congress. These are some of the points I made: ●●The devastating impact of the earthquake and the cost in lives, injuries and disease ●●The long recovery process and the courage and determination of the Haitian people and their history ●●The initial trade union response in the aftermath of the disaster and why this needs to continue ●●The ongoing campaign to

cancel Haiti’s international debt – some of it, hundreds of years old! ●●Networking and support for our trade union colleagues in Haiti in demanding full provision of the vital services – food distribution, housing, water, medical supplies ●●Protection from the criminal gangs especially for the vulnerable – women, children, dispossessed ●●Rebuilding and reconstruction – support for projects like Operation FutureProof Other trade union colleagues contributed to the debate and it was unanimously agreed by Congress.

The talking is now over – we have to deliver for Haiti and its people!

Lud Ramsey, B&EMM National Chair STUC black workers’ conference The 14th annual Scottish TUC black workers conference took place in Glasgow in October.

Chaired by Hilda Smith the conference had 18 motions, five of which were about cuts and the impact they will have on the BME population.

As most of the Scottish BME workforce is employed in the public sector, the cuts will impact negatively and disproportionately on them.

The conference sought to 14 Advisor Winter 2010/11

counter this by organising events like the Better Way Campaign and preparing to fight redundancies.

There were four motions about opposing the far right.

They called upon the STUC to step up its campaign against far right parties by working with community groups and anti-fascist organisations to ensure that Scotland keeps the far right, right out.

The Strathclyde and Lothian and Borders police services were praised for being instrumental in denying the EDL

and SDL the right to march in Glasgow and Edinburgh.

This was achieved by not letting them pass any places of worship and then containing them in one pub in each city.

Therefore, trouble was kept to a minimum.

The FBU had two motions.

Hakim Beaouji (left) moved our Haiti resolution as a first time speaker. I moved motion 17 on the Single Equalities Act. Both motions were passed by the conference. I was voted on to the STUC black workers committee for 2010-2011.

PEOPLE

Profile

helping people progress at work and in the union

Carole Brown I have worked at Kent fire and rescue service as a control operator for just over 11 years. In that time I have progressed to watch manager of blue watch.

I have used the position to improve my skills in a number of areas and used the Union Learning Fund and previous government funding to gain a Certificate in Education, Stage 3, British Sign Language, Stage 1, Institution of Occupational Safety and Health workplace assessor and several over skills that come with the role. I have managed two training courses and enjoyed that work immensely.

I was honoured to represent my brigade at the remembrance day parade in Whitehall and at a function held by Tony Blair when he was prime minister to thank the emergency services staff.

At the moment, I have a temporary promotion to oversee a new project as the resources manager.

I am the B&EMM representative for Kent and region 11 and vice chair of the B&EMM national committee. My favourite part of that role so far this year, was the B&EMM school and the quiz written by Samantha Samuels. Incredibly educational!

I also managed to hold my first Kent B&EMM meeting in October this year which really made my day. It has taken some time, but perseverance brings its own rewards.

I have recently become a volunteer at my local community group and hope to use this position to encourage young people to reach their full potential.

Raising funds

Training others

I am responsible for the monitoring of all the service’s operational resources using the workforce planning system.

This involves “encouraging” stations to request necessary detachments; being responsible for moving retained personnel in order to increase appliance availability; and auditing officer entries in the system, making sure that there are enough of them on duty at all times.

I am now training other control operators to take over the role.

I intend to take part in the station manager’s initial test of potential (ITOP) next year and, if I am successful, I would look to spread my wings a little and get involved with more projects.

I am interested in a role in community liaison and have attended several community events and open days on behalf of the service.

I hope to someday inspire new members the way I was inspired the first year I attended.

Following the loss of our baby daughter Charlotte last year, who passed away when she was eight days old because she had Edwards syndrome.

I am constantly trying to raise funds for St Thomas’ Hospital in London, who gave us precious days to spend with her, and Richard House Children’s Hospice in Beckton, who not only gave us the opportunity to spend some quality time with her, but looked after us at a time when the world had seemed to stop.

The members of B&EMM at least year’s school gave us both great support and I always know that there is someone at the end of the phone for me to call when things are not looking so good.

I am grateful for the friends I have found in the committee and the people I have met at the schools I have attended.

I look forward to meeting new people at the school and helping them with their progression through the service and in their communities any way I can.

I hope to someday inspire new members the way I was inspired the first year I attended.

Winter 2010/11 Advisor 15

PAGE LABEL

APPEAL

JESS HURD/REPORTDIGITAL.CO.UK

March for the alternative

JOBS, GROWTH, JUSTICE 26 MARCH

Assemble Victoria Embankment, London from 11am to march to a rally in Hyde Park Deep spending cuts damage public services, hit the vulnerable and threaten recovery. They’re dangerous, unfair and unnecessary.

But there’s an alternative – one that’s fair, safe and sustainable: A Robin Hood tax on the banks Close tax loopholes Policies for jobs and green growth Let’s march to tell the government they need to change course

Dear Members One of our members needs your help and support. London B&EMM – Brother Victor E.Muhammad’s wife Serena, is undergoing treatment in the USA for chronic Hepatitus B virus which has induced cirrhosis of her liver.

Without the appropriate treatment she has been informed that she will need a transplant within two years.

There were two types of treatment in the UK – both are painful with negative side effects. Serena has had one of the treatments before and understandably does not wish to engage with that treatment again.

Alternative treatment that is not available in the UK exists at a clinic in the USA that has an excellent record for the treatment of this particular illness.

Because of the strain of the travelling, the family has to separate every time Serena travels for her treatment. In order to keep costs down, Serena and their two children are now staying in the USA with relatives and Victor stays here, using his annual leave to join them whenever he can.

As you can imagine this is having a major impact on them all as Serena will need at least five treatments in the next 12 months. So this is where your help is vital: ●● we are trying to raise £10,000 to make sure that Serena gets the treatment she desperately needs ●● assist Victor in his costs for travelling to the USA to see his family ●● making sure that any other support the family need will be given by B&EMM and the LFB. YOU can help by giving a one-off or standing order donation to an account that has been setup to help the family when they travel to the USA. The account trust details are: Nat West, sortcode: 60-18-20, account:18074308.

The account name is Mr V & Mrs S E-Muhammad.

Please let me know when you have made a donation so I can inform Victor. We also plan to hold fundraising events for the family and any suggestions or assistance you can volunteer will be greatly appreciated.

PLEASE HELP AND GIVE GENEROUSLY Michael Nicholas

B&EMM regional reps

Region 01 Lud Ramsey 07890 630 920 Region 02 Contact Michael Nicholas (as below) Region 03 Lee Brown 07827 300 079 Region 04 Mark Brown 07983 796 106 Region 05 Contact Samantha Samuels (as below) Region 06 Dalton Powell 07967 661 469 Region 07 Colin Jarrett 07795 038 792 Region 08 Brian Amos 07773 289 694 Region 09 Victor Liburd 07801 350 873 Region 10 Garrett Brooks 07854 998 524 Region 11 Carole Brown 07872 053 986 Region 12 Andre Fernandes 07976 872 034 Region 13 Contact Leroy Phillpotts 07970 184 179 EC Member Michael Nicholas 07764 927 729 National Sec Samantha Samuels 07795 010 545 National Chair Lud Ramsey (as above)