| Formal consultation process with the FBU on its future changes to start and finish times of shifts for firefighters |
London Fire Brigade began the process of formal consultation with the Fire Brigades Union on its proposed changes to start and finish times of shifts for London firefighters.
Discussion and negotiation on the proposed changes have been going on for five years but have not yet resulted in a collective agreement. London Fire Commissioner Ron Dobson has written to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills and the Fire Brigades Union to start the formal consultation arrangements on terminating existing employment contracts and offering re-engagement on new start and finish times.
The Brigade’s aim is for the three-month consultation period to focus the continuing discussions on reaching an agreed position within a fixed period of time. If a collective agreement with the FBU is reached during the consultation period, the process will cease and termination of contracts won’t be necessary.
Commissioner Ron Dobson said: “I want to use the consultation period, which will last for at least 90 days, to focus the ongoing meetings we are having with the FBU and reach an agreement. Discussions will continue, with a further meeting already planned for the week beginning 23 August. The discussions so far have been open and businesslike and I am confident that these negotiations can and should produce a settlement that will satisfy all parties and bring an end to this longstanding issue.”