THE firefighters union, FBU, yesterday said that they are considering strike action to defend Buckinghamshire firefighter and FBU executive committee member Ricky Matthews.
He was sacked after ‘failing to attend work’ after ‘not working his Saturday shift’ despite the fact that the current 4-day strike nationwide strike was in full swing.
The FBU has responded to this ‘outrageous, aggressive’ and hostile victimisation’ and ‘attack on the right to organise in a trade union’ by calling an executive meeting scheduled for Thursday to determine what action to take to get Ricky Matthews re-instated.
The FBU told News Line: ‘We are seriously considering our response, legally, politically and industrially.
‘Strike action to re-instate Ricky Matthews is not being ruled out.
‘We are currently consulting our legal representatives, Thompson’s who specialise in trade union disputes.’
The FBU executive council met in Buckinghamshire on Monday to hear reports of the action.
Matt Wrack, FBU general secretary, said: ‘The FBU congratulates our members across England for the solidarity and unity they have shown over the past three days.
‘It is still clear that our case is absolutely solid and justified. The government’s case for an unaffordable and unworkable pension scheme takes no account of the realities of work in the fire and rescue service.
‘Unfortunately, there has been a particularly aggressive and hostile response from the fire and rescue authority in Buckinghamshire resulting in one of our executive council members, Ricky Matthews, being informed that he has been summarily dismissed.
‘The Chief Fire Officer and his team have claimed that our call to strike was not lawful. This is utter rubbish. Employers are able to challenge unions in court.
‘We were awaiting such a challenge, having taken legal advice, and had a QC ready to defend our case.
‘Buckinghamshire Fire and Rescue Authority did not attempt to take us to court or seek an injunction.
‘This demonstrates very clearly that their claims and their case are without basis.
‘At our meeting we were told a whole list of examples of bullying, harassment and victimisation in the Buckinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service.
‘This is outrageous treatment of a longstanding firefighter and an outrageous attack on the right to organise in a trade union. The FBU will stand by our victimised member.’
