Gloucestershire Firefighters Threaten Strike Over Shift Changes
Firefighters in Gloucestershire may strike due to new shift patterns deemed unworkable by unions, impacting their work-life balance and mental health.
Gloucestershire, Firefighters, Shift Changes, Fire Brigades Union, Industrial Action
Gloucestershire: Firefighters are really upset about the new shift patterns being pushed by the county council. They’re saying these changes are just not workable and could force many to leave their jobs.
The Fire Brigades Union is raising concerns that the new hours will hit those with kids or other caregiving duties hard. Plus, it could really affect the mental health of firefighters who are already under a lot of stress.
During a recent meeting, Cllr Dave Norman confirmed that the council is moving forward with changing shifts from 9-hour days and 15-hour nights to 11-hour days and 13-hour nights. This has firefighters feeling pretty frustrated.
Despite receiving a ton of emails and letters against the changes, the council is still going ahead. About 25 firefighters showed up to voice their opposition at the meeting, which shows just how serious they are about this issue.
The union described the decision as a “kick in the teeth” and is now considering taking industrial action to fight back. They really feel like their concerns are being ignored.
Kate Yhnell from the Fire Brigades Union said it’s disappointing that the council isn’t listening to the frontline workers. She pointed out that no one should have to choose between their job and the cost of childcare due to these new shifts.
She also mentioned that Gloucestershire has the worst maternity provisions in the country, which is just adding to the frustration. Instead of making things better for parents, the council is making it tougher.
Firefighters are clear: they won’t accept shifts that jeopardize their wellbeing. The union is ready to explore all options, including strikes, to reverse this policy.
Dave Roberts, another union leader, emphasized how hard firefighters work to keep the community safe. He’s really upset that the council is ignoring the serious issues raised about the shift changes.
These changes are set to roll out over the next six months, and the council plans to review their impact afterward. Cllr Norman mentioned that most fire services are moving away from the old shift system, but it’s clear that many firefighters are not on board with this change.