FBU rep builds young fire fighter network for stronger union
David Pitt joined the fire service in 2009 and not long into his service he took on the role of union rep. He says: “I initially joined the union to get that protection that everyone wants should something wrong happen at work and you need representation. But after witnessing the cuts to the fire service and the damage that those cuts did to the community, I soon realised that it was important to be part of a unity of fire fighters that are continually doing their best to prevent cuts, increase health and safety at work and defend the pay, pensions and conditions of fire fighters across the UK.”
He soon saw that for the union to be a strong and successful movement more young people needed to be encouraged to play an active part in the union. “A lot of the officials in my region are approaching the end of their careers and I soon questioned when these officials retire, who will opt to take their places? It’s unfortunate that some young people don’t feel they have much in common with older reps in the workplace, so having young people take up active positions within their unions allows the younger members to identify with younger reps more,” he explains.
As there was no formal young members’ network within the FBU, with the help of some regional officials David identified about 120 members in his region that would be eligible to take part in a young members’ network. He then contacted them with the aim of arranging the first young members’ network meeting in September 2014 and, he says, “fingers crossed we will get a positive response from those contacted. This will then assist senior officials to get feedback on a number of issues affecting young fire fighters in the UK.”
David is one of several young trade unionists featured in the TUC’s My Union, My Voice! publication.
Case study from Equality Audit 2014: Improving representation and participation in trade unions.
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