[A-List] UK labour militancy & public order

["Michael Keaney" <michael.keaney@xxxxxx>]

Bain proposes single Scottish fire authority
CATHERINE MacLEOD
The Herald, 16 December 2002

THE government is to forge ahead with plans to reform the fire service
throughout the UK, with or without the firefighters' support.

Only hours after the Bain report is published today John Prescott, deputy
prime minister, will risk the wrath of the fire union by announcing plans in
parliament to push forward with legislation to implement reform.

And one of the most controversial recommendations, on which the government
refused to comment, was a proposal which could see Scotland having a single
fire authority as opposed to eight at present, with the UK brigades reduced
from 58 to nine.

Mr Prescott will publish a white paper in the spring, but pressing reforms
may be included in the local government bill already making its way through
parliament.

The report on the Bain review, chaired by Sir George Bain, will recommend
sweeping changes.

However, few involved in the firefighters' dispute expected the government
to accelerate the pace of the reform at such a delicate stage. The employers
and the fire union are negotiating through Acas, the conciliation service,
and were expected to discuss "a serious pay offer" after January 6.

Last night, a senior firefighter expressed incredulity at the government's
intention, but remained adamant that the Fire Brigades Union "was taking no
interest in Bain".

He said: "We expect Acas to be in a position to make a firm offer to us
around January 6. As far as we are concerned we are taking no interest in
Bain. It is what the employers say that is important, not Professor Bain."

Government sources were unperturbed by the FBU's intransigence. A spokesman
said: "One way or another there is going to be a new, modernised fire
service. The Fire Service Act has remained unchanged since 1947. We shall
repeal it or amend it to put a modernised fire service on a legal basis."

The government, now so convinced of the need for radical change, will risk a
backlash to reform the controversial shift system before the summer. Mr
Prescott is likely to accept the recommendation of the Bain report which
calls for more flexibility in shift patterns and fewer staff on duty at
night "to boost diversity, flexibility, create a family friendly
environment, and expand community safety work".

Although the government will insist that modernisation must pay for any pay
rise beyond 4%, the Bain report will recommend pay rises of up to 16% over
three years, with more in return for further reforms.

The report is also expected to recommend: the use of joint control rooms
with other emergency services; an end to the union ban on overtime and
working with part-time firemen, and more fire prevention work within the
community.

Bain also recommends an overhaul of recruitment processes. He also argues
for retention of firefighters beyond retiring age but with different medical
standards for different roles.

The union has already called for another two 48-hour stoppages on January 28
and February 1, but the prospect of the legislation changing the conditions
of employment is likely to inflame an already volatile relationship.