Shift Changes

Learner User Online: Joined: 11 Nov 2007 Posts: 96

Rumour has it that the new shifts will be 12hr shifts. 8 till 8. I'm sure this will be up for "negotiation" but apparently, it's due to come in on Jan 1st 2010.

At least the travelling wont be too bad at that time of the morning, but then at the same time, if we just roll over and take it, they will just steamroller us with more, like taking the beds away etc.

Posted: Thu Jun 04, 2009 12:24 pm

we have to face facts, the beds will go if they get the 12hr shifts in, and we will be powerless to stop it. i doubt we would get much public support to keep beds on the station.

Posted: Thu Jun 04, 2009 7:21 pm

We need to oppose the change to 12 hour shifts. Unless you like doing just day duties or working with people you don't know.

Posted: Thu Jun 04, 2009 7:39 pm

If they change the shifts we will be next, I can see why they want to start earlier for training and stuff but 12 hour days are so s**t it will be a sad day for us all

I've posted something in the Union section about it

Learner User Online: Joined: 11 Nov 2007 Posts: 96

I spoke to a Union Official this evening and he said that the shift changes can't happen. He said the Union are fully opposed to the changes and if the Brigade want to impose it, they will have to sack EVERYONE, and if they do that, we then can do them for breech of contract. Or something like that, so as far as I take it, the shifts wont change, at least for the forseeable future anyway.

Posted: Fri Jun 05, 2009 6:57 am

Can't see us wining it that easy

Learner User Online: Joined: 11 Nov 2007 Posts: 96

Can't see us wining it that easy

Posted: Fri Jun 05, 2009 11:07 am

The main question is......Will we go out the doors if they change us to 12's?

The unfortunate fact is, and I know I'll annoy a lot of the guys. We could do with starting days an hour or so earlier purely for training. There are so many times when appliances can't get away to training venues or are late because of stand-by's and strategic resources or other problem out of the stations control.

Most fire fighters complain about not training enough (or adequately) and here the brigade is offering us the chance (in theory) to do this, I wonder how will accept this? This will include the FRU dept who at this time are not allowed to claim overtime so have to leave station early to return to STC before 4.30pm, this means sometimes hurrying or cutting down the drill, a practise no-one in the team approves of or agrees to.

Posted: Fri Jun 05, 2009 1:20 pm

Why do we have to go out of the doors? In fact I think that is exactly what they want, if you remember and I am sure there is a link on the news section here to the LFB signing up along with other fire authorities to a private company who would provide fire cover in times of catastrophic disaster / terrorist attack or industrial action.
It would be better to work to rule / no co operation etc, no temporary, no hanging on to keep machines on the run, no volunteering to run Life courses, or this new Cadet scheme, all those who have applied for stewardship at Wimbledon, withdrawal now so the brigade has no presence there. There are hundreds of ways to bring the brigade to its knees without doing anything illegal, it’s up to us to either do something about it or just accept it.
Remember we have done all they have asked, taking on new skills and equipment and our reward so far is no pay rise this year and a change in shifts, enough is enough.

Posted: Fri Jun 05, 2009 4:20 pm

I agree.

Walking out the doors is a last resort, although I gather from my 'snout' at Asset Co (Who tendered for the rent-a-scab deal) is that Group 4 was unable to attract enough applicants for the Governments new 'strike cover' brigade.

I think telling them to stuff pre-arranged (which I don't agree with anyway) and anything else that helps them out such as LIFE or courses, then continue to work the current system regardless of any forced changes.

Then take it from there.