No 15 October 2004

The FBU Executive has banned “Grassroots FBU” the campaigning group which was launched by members who were opposed to the deal negotiated by the leadership of the union in their long running dispute.

We have produced this e-newsletter to alert people to the news. What is immediately obvious from reading the FBU release on their web site is the spurious grounds on which they have presented this decision. They say that: “The extent of organisation within Grassroots FBU is such that it has been seriously considering whether to establish a new union.” This is simply untrue and the FBU apparatus know it. Why stand candidates if you are organizing a breakaway?

The FBU release, is entitled: “Organisation contrary to Union policies, interests”, inquiry finds.

It says that, “The FBU has banned the organisation ‘Grassroots FBU’ after an inquiry found it was contrary to the policies and interests of the union. The move follows a 6-month investigation headed by Assistant General Secretary Mike Fordham after complaints from other regions.

The investigation found that Grassroots FBU is an organisation whose supporters have discussed breaking away from the FBU. The inquiry concluded that Grassroots FBU is an unauthorised organisation, operating within the FBU, contrary to the policies of the Union, and/or in a way prejudicial to the interests of the Union.”

The “and/or” is a catch-all phrase.

A section entitled “Potential to become an alternative union” says that “a poll on the UK Fire Website encouraged an extensive debate including suggestions that Grassroots become a new union”. Of course, the UK Fire website is not the web site of Grassroots FBU. Is it being found guilty of a discussion taking place on another website, which expressed the deep level of contempt for the leadership amongst some sections of the membership?

The EC recommendations were:

“The EC determine that Grassroots FBU is an unauthorised organisation, operating within the FBU, and is contrary to the policies of the Union, and prejudicial to the interests of the Union.

The EC determine that participation in the organisational activities of Grassroots FBU is contrary to the policies of the Union and prejudicial to the interests of the Union.

The EC circulate copies of this report to all branches and officials. The EC Annual Report to Conference 2005 should include in full, this report and its recommendations.

An amendment to Rule to ensure that the EC is not prevented by the relevant EC member from adjudicating on questions of discipline under Rule 8A.

An additional Rule 8A (10) is suggested providing that the procedure under Rule 8A (9) will operate where the General Secretary or nominated EC member/full time official believes an offence under Rule 8A has been committed. This may be with or without a preliminary inquiry and the matter will then proceed as under Rule 8A (9).”

The report also mentioned four individuals who may be subject to attack: Paul Embery, Andy Dark, Gordon Fielden and Matt Wrack, officers of Grassroots FBU.

Why the witch hunt?

This attack on Grassroots FBU is by way of a pre-emptive strike by a leadership which feels threatened. The defeat of the apparatus candidate for National Officer by Paul Woolstenholmes, and the recent defeat of Vice President Dave Whatton in an EC election, indicates the level of anger amongst wide layers of the membership for the way the leadership handled the dispute.

The members that the leadership are now attacking, on the grounds of “seriously discussing a breakaway union”, are those who in reality have been striving to stop disenchanted members leaving the FBU.

An election for Assistant General Secretary is soon to take place. It is common knowledge that Matt Wrack may be a candidate. And Gilchrist will have to stand next year. Gilchrist and co are not frightened of a breakaway union being formed, they are frightened of the verdict of the members in elections. This witch hunt is nothing other than an attempt to try to destroy opponents of the existing regime, for fear that the members will vote them out of office.

FBU members will have to decide how to organize a campaign to stop this witch hunt. However, it surely must be of concern to other trade union activists that the democratic rights of FBU members to organize a campaign within their union is being threatened by bureaucrats who sold out the members and whose main concern is saving their jobs at all costs.

We will keep you informed of developments.

You can visit the Grassroots FBU website at:

http://www. grassrootsfbu. co. uk/home. htm