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I have a plan…
…and a strategy for the next five years of how we demand and how we deliver and we force the new government to improve standards in the fire service.
Listen in to hear more!
Matt meets renowned photographer, John Harris - Battle of Orgreave
Matt with John Harris
While I was at National School, it was humbling to meet John Harris and view photos of the 84/85 miners' strike taken by John and other photographers who supported the strikers and National Union of Mineworkers. The instantly recognisable image from #Orgreave featuring Lesley Boulton will bring chills to any trade unionist.
2024 marks the 40th anniversary of the miners' strike, the biggest industrial dispute in post-war Britain which sadly ended in defeat at the hands of Thatcher's callous government, but this year is also the 50th anniversary of the 1974 strike which took down a horrendous Tory Government. This year, let's reflect on how we can reverse the damage Thatcher inflicted on our class, and continue to build back even stronger.
Matt reacts - FBU National School
Matt with Gary Younge at National School
I visited our incredible education programme in Wortley Hall, Sheffiled. Our FBU National School coaches our members to engage in healthy political debate and encourages them to explore their ideas for the future of the union in a comradely way.
I also had the chance to meet Gary Younge who addressed our activists. I am really proud of our education programme and the hard working reps and activists it has trained throughout the years.
Members participate in a debating session at National School
Matt comments on Ex-FBU official barred from membership
It isn't routine for me or the FBU to comment on Internal Union Discipline cases. However, this week our union’s discipline committee upheld the recommendations from a regional committee who had ruled that a member should face expulsion from the FBU for sharing appalling racist and pro fascist materials. It is important that we address issues of such significance transparently.
It is deeply disturbing that any member of our union would chose to share this material, even more so given that they were a former member of the executive council. This individual has been playing a significant role in a fringe campaign within our union that has appeared to exist solely to destabilise the FBU and disunite its members. This grouping is also very active in the current campaign against me.
It is a very significant step to expel/bar an ex-executive council member from membership. We must ensure our union and our workplaces are safe for all, we must stay united against fascism and racism. It is alarming that some current officials continue to engage with this unholy alliance.
Remembrance Sunday in Durham
Every year, retired FBU member Arthur Lockyear organises the fire & rescue service contingent at the Remembrance event in Durham.
Today we also remember the 997 firefighters killed fighting fires during the Blitz.
It was my pleasure to be present to pay my respects.
Matt in Durham standing alongside the Fire Service Standard Bearers
Watch Matt’s latest campaign video
I am incredibly proud of everything our union has achieved over the last five years. I will defend everything you have achieved - the 16% pay rise, the world leading campaign on decontamination and our campaigning on Grenfell.
Don't let anyone talk our achievements down. We are winning and we can keep winning.
That is why I am asking for your support. To keep the FBU on track and so that we keep winning together.
Matt’s latest campaign video.
Matt visits UCLan to discuss Decon & Mental Health
Matt with Prof Anna Stec and Riccardo la Torre
This week I attended the University of Central Lancashire to see our world leading research on decontamination and our industry leading work on mental health.
Our members can face huge traumas at work - whether that be in the control room, responding to an emergency or when we tragically lose colleagues.
Our conference has debated and agreed that our members deserve access to suitable mental health support, together we can make sure the Government provides it.
Matt comments on NAO Report on Grenfell and cladding scandal!
As your General Secretary I have also been speaking out on the National Audit Office’s report on Grenfell and the cladding crisis this week.
We will not tolerate waiting till 2037 for the cladding crisis to be resolved. Residents and firefighters are being put at risk by the irresponsible approach set in train by the Tories and we need to see Labour take decisive action to protect us against these deadly fire risks.
Read more about the report here.
An official graphic which states we will not wait until 2037. The cladding crisis must end now!
Fighting facism in Britain!
This week I doubled down on my comments about the recent expulsion of a former member of our Executive Council who shared fascist content on social media. If you need to refresh your memory, the original article was published by The Guardian here.
The organisation he chaired, The Campaign for a Democratic FBU, has been exposed. It has failed to condemn his behaviour and if history tells us anything you cannot be a fascist and a democrat. That so-called campaign has finally shown its true colours.
Matt responds to Labour’s Budget
As you will have seen, Labour released their first Budget this week. An increase in the minimum wage and additional funding for the NHS, which is facing its worst crisis in decades as a consequence of Tory cuts, is welcome. So are windfall taxes on oil and gas, and adding VAT to public school fees.
But there are also significant missed opportunities. Having the lowest corporation tax in the G7 is not something to boast about it – it is a symptom of a broken economic model in which profits are prioritised above the needs and safety of the public.
You can read my full statement here.
Matt attends Red Plaque event to commemorate fallen firefighters
On October 26th, I had the privilege of attending the Red Plaque event to remember Bob Crampin and Keith Marshall, who died at Hurcott Mill, Kidderminster on 8 March 1974.
It is so important for the loved ones of fallen firefighters to have a place to remember them and share their memory. Find out more about the Red Plaque Project here and please do lend your support if you can.
Thank you for having me at such a moving, special event.
Matt visits “Solidarity Forever” Exhibition
Last week I had the privilege of visiting Durham Cathedral and seeing the trade union heritage of the county.
We should always be proud of everything they fought for.
You can watch my short video about the visit by clicking here.
The past we inherit the future we build!
Matt visits St Giles Cathedral
Today I visited St. Giles Cathedral, Edinburgh for the celebration of 200 years since foundation of first metropolitan fire brigade.
James Braidwood played a vital role in the development of modern firefighting, taking account of the need for technical knowledge and professionalism.
To debate, or not to debate - that is the question!
Senior FBU officials are trying to shut down debate.
This week the FBU Executive Council have refused to allow official hustings between the candidates.
Members should be able to ask us questions, challenge us and talk to us. The Executive are preventing that.
I say - let the members lead the debate.
Read my full statement below
Matt delivers address at Thomas Hepburn Memorial 2024
As a long time friend of the Durham Miners’ Association (DMA), I was thrilled when they asked me to deliver the address as this year’s Thomas Hepburn Memorial. You can read more about Hepburn, as well as the kind words DMA Secretary, Alan Mardghum, had to say about me here.
Thomas Hepburn was a giant of our movement who founded the Durham Miners' Association. We are fortunate to have inherited a past that Thomas shaped, now we have to build a future he would be proud of. You can watch a film about the service here.
Time to Deliver Rally - 8th October 2024!
On 8th October I watched in awe as thousands of firefighters descended upon Westminster for our “Time to Deliver” National Rally.
It was a special moment for me to address so many FBU members as General Secretary, as we laid out our demands to the Labour Government to deliver a fire and rescue service that is fit for the future.
I’m sure I don’t need to remind you of our demands, but I feel so strongly about them all I’m going to do it anyway:
1. REBUILD OUR SERVICE: sustained investment to build resilience and meet future risks
2. SET NATIONAL STANDARDS: keep our communities and our firefighters safe
3. CREATE A STATUTORY ADVISORY BODY, including the FBU
4. DELIVER JUSTICE FOR GRENFELL: end deregulation, safe homes for all
5. SCRAP THE TORY WHITE PAPER
6. PROTECT WORKERS’ RIGHTS: scrap the anti-union laws
7. SAFEGUARD COLLECTIVE BARGAINING: hands off the NJC
8. ENSURE EQUALITY AND INCLUSION: make firefighting an equal, inclusive profession, open to everyone and reflective of our communities
9. DELIVER FOR DECON: recognise firefighter cancer and deliver regular health monitoring
10. PENSIONS JUSTICE FOR FIREFIGHTERS
I hope many of you got to meet with your MPs to set out our demands. Your voices will help us to succeed!
FBU at Labour Party Conference 2024
It was an honour for me to speak on your behalf at Labour Conference and to stand up for our profession. We had an action packed week where we made clear to the Government that we were there to represent the interests of firefighters, trade unionists and the whole working class.
On Tuesday 24th we delivered our motion on Grenfell. We worked with colleagues across the labour movement and passed our motion. It called for an end to the impunity of private contractors and would make central government responsible for fire safety. You can watch my speech on Grenfell here.
I joined with Daniel Kebede, National Education Union General Secretary, to raise awareness about the upcoming Stand Up To Racism demonstration on 26 October. It is the duty of trade unionists like us to fight racism, fascism and the far right wherever they raise their ugly heads. You can watch our message here. I also discussed this at the FBU and LabourList fringe event on Wednesday speaking about the excellent work of our union to fight the far right.
I also spoke at the Socialist Campaign Group rally and CLPD rally. I am proud that our union takes the position that it is not just enough to tell Labour what we want, we must participate in the process of building a better future.
Last of all, I delivered my final address as Trade Union Congress (TUC) President to Labour’s Conference Hall. I wanted to share that with you and you can click here to watch it. I am only the second FBU General Secretary to hold the position in the TUC’s 156 year history and I am proud to have had this chance to represent you in our movement in this way.
I also wanted to congratulate Unite the Union on winning their motion on Winter Fuel Allowance, we were proud to support them on such an important issue. It shows that as a labour movement we are united. We will not accept cuts or austerity, we will campaign for better.