The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) has raised widespread concerns that the imposed changes to working hours will make the job too costly for those with childcare or caring responsibilities. They have acknowledged how these decisions will take a toll on the mental health of a workforce already under pressure.

At a Scrutiny Committee meeting, Councillor Dave Norman confirmed that the county council will move ahead with changing firefighters’ shifts from nine hour days and 15 hour nights, to 11 hour days and 13 hour nights for wholetime community fire stations.

This decision has been made regardless of the Scrutiny Committee raising the need for a consultation process involving firefighters, after councillors received a number of letters and emails opposing the change.

Alongside written complaints, 25 firefighters attended the public meeting in opposition to these changes. In the wake of this, the FBU warn that firefighters have extended a warning to Gloucestershire County Council that they will be fighting the decision.

Kate Yhnell, Fire Brigades Union, Brigade Organiser’s statement

Fire Brigades Union, Brigade Organiser for Gloucestershire, Kate Yhnell said of the issue that: “No firefighter should be put in a position where it is cheaper for them to quit because of the cost of childcare around unworkable shifts.

“Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue offers the worst maternity provision in the country. Instead of improving support for women in the workplace, it is now punishing parents and carers with this unnecessary and damaging policy. “

Dave Roberts, Fire Brigades Union, Regional Secretary for the South West’s statement

Dave Roberts, Fire Brigades Union Regional Secretary for the South West said of the decision that: “Firefighters are dedicated to protecting our communities, and work extremely hard under immense pressure to save lives and homes.

Gloucestershire County Council has chosen to insult the frontline by refusing to listen to any of the serious issues raised around changes to working hours. This will only have a detrimental effect on the working lives of firefighters in the region, and the service as a whole. “

“We will do everything in our power to reverse this nonsensical decision.”

Ben Selby, Fire Brigades Union, Assistant General Secretaries statement

The Fire Brigades Union, Assistant General Secretary, Ben Selby discussed how this decision will impact female members of staff, saying: “Gloucestershire fire and rescue service cannot claim to be supporting or recruiting women firefighters while implementing shifts that increase financial pressures on those with caring responsibilities.”

Impact of Gloucestershire’s change to working hours will be damaging say The Fire Brigades Union: Summary

The Fire Brigades Union have spoken out about changes to the shift patterns of firefighters under the Gloucestershire County Council, calling them damaging and nonsensical.