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#WeAreAshleyBrown – UK Firefighters Call for Support
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The firefighters of the United Kingdom are fighting a different battle than fire these days. The firefighters are currently striking against attacks on their pensions. According to the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) website “The firefighters’ dispute has continued for months as firefighters are facing the imposition of a pension that ignores the physical demands of the job they do.” With little negotiation and flexibility from the government the FBU has taken action and firefighters across the UK have gone on strike.
The strike is causing areas to be without adequate protection and the media is suggesting the public be more vigilant and careful when cooking, driving, and living their lives as to not need assistance from striking fire departments. While on strike the areas are staffed with a smaller number of staff contingency crews. The crews will respond to life threatening incidents but will reduce the number of smaller incidents such as bonfires or false alarms caused by faulty equipment.
While firefighters striking is bad as it is, the FBU’s problems do not end there. The firefighters are looking for support in the reinstatement of one of their own, who was wrongly terminated from his position. Ashley Brown is a 25 year firefighter who was dismissed from by Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service (HFRS) on a charge of gross misconduct during the 2013 Christmas season.
From the FBU website,
Keith Handscomb, who represents the East of England on the FBU’s executive council, said “It seems that political tensions around the national firefighter strike clouded what should really have been a simple individual case.” Brown, a husband and father of three, had never had issues in his career until as of late. He was removed following posts he made that were in reference to the current strike. These comments were made on his personal account while off- duty and were not directed to a specific person, and nowhere on his social media account did he identify himself as a HFRS firefighter. Ashley is being punished unfairly for stating what is on the minds of many other striking firefighters. Although Brown can appeal the termination, the final decision comes from the same people who terminated him to begin with. The next step for is to have the case heard by the Employment Tribunal, an outside body, in September. However, even if Brown wins in court the service are under no obligation to reinstate him.
The
firefighters are looking for and need support from across the world.
The brotherhood extends further than just the United States or the
United Kingdom. The goal is to bring more public attention to the issues
they are facing with the Government and the cause to reinstate Ashley
Brown. Brown’s wife avowed that “Ash has given the best years of his
life to the fire service and to helping other people. Now Ash needs a
helping hand. Our whole family needs some help.”
If you search #WeAreAshleyBrown on Twitter you can see the different ways firefighters are supporting each other against this.
Join the Support and contribute to the #WeAreAshleyBrown cause
There is a petition online with over 8,000 signatures.
You can read more on the strike and Ashley Brown on the FBU’s website
Join the Support and contribute to the #WeAreAshleyBrown cause
There is a petition online with over 8,000 signatures.
You can read more on the strike and Ashley Brown on the FBU’s website
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