UNION CLAIMS MANAGEMENT IS IGNORING CULTURE REVIEW FINDINGS

MORE than 200 firefighters and supporters rallied outside the headquarters of Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service in Carmarthen last week, protesting against proposed changes to shift patterns.

The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) is calling on the fire authority to scrap plans to move from the current 9-hour day and 15-hour night shifts to a system of 12-hour days and 12-hour nights.

The shift change is part of a wider restructure of the traditional “2-2-4” pattern — two day shifts, two night shifts and four rest days. Management insists the new pattern will retain the same total weekly hours (42) while being “more efficient and effective.”

But the FBU says the plan is being pushed through without proper consultation and will disproportionately impact firefighters with childcare or other caring responsibilities. The union argues the changes will negatively affect mental and physical wellbeing, especially for those already stretched by demanding workloads and staff shortages.

The protest follows a damning workplace culture review in January which described the service as an “operational boys’ club” where bullying and harassment were rife. The report called for a wholesale change in leadership culture — but union leaders say those calls have been ignored.

‘Staff pushed to exhaustion’

Tom Wass, Mid and West Wales brigade organiser for the FBU, said: “Firefighters have travelled from across the region today to rally in opposition to these 12-hour shifts. We keep the public safe around the clock, but pushing us to exhaustion and making the job incompatible with family life will only drive people out of the service.

“The huge turnout today shows how strongly firefighters feel. Senior management must stop attacking our conditions and start listening to the frontline.”

‘Trust in leadership has gone’

FBU regional secretary Duncan Stewart-Ball said the fire service was “in a state of crisis.”

“Firefighters no longer trust senior leaders,” he said. “Forcing through 12-hour shifts, especially after the ‘boys’ club’ report, is appalling.

“These changes will make it harder for women and those with caring responsibilities to stay in the job. The fire authority must hold management to account and scrap these damaging proposals if they want to start rebuilding trust.”

‘We’ve been railroaded’

Firefighters on the picket line told The Herald they felt bullied into accepting the changes.

Kirsty, who has been with the service for five years, said: “I’m hoping to start a family in the near future, and I can’t see how I’ll be able to juggle work and childcare under this new system.”

Dai, a firefighter for 11 years, added: “We’ve almost been bullied into this — they’ve completely railroaded us.”

Fire service defends proposals

In a statement, Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service said the shift proposals were based on “improved safety” for both staff and the communities they serve.

A spokesperson said: “Other fire services have successfully implemented the 12-12 model, which provides better continuity, clearer handovers, and greater operational resilience. This is in line with recommendations from the Welsh Government and health and safety improvements.”

The service said it was “disappointed” that there had been “no meaningful progress” in talks with the union.

FBU general secretary Steve Wright said: “Firefighters already go above and beyond to keep the public safe, despite a decade of cuts. Forcing gruelling shift patterns on them will only deepen the crisis. The fire authority must scrap these plans immediately.”

RESIDENTS and visitors along the Pembrokeshire coastline have been warned to take extra care today (Mar 31) after a flood alert was issued for the area.

Natural Resources Wales issued the alert at 7:21pm on Sunday evening, warning of a risk of flooding between St Dogmaels, Cardigan and Amroth.

The combination of high tides and unsettled weather conditions is expected to cause flooding of low-lying land, roads, beaches and estuary areas this morning. The high tide at Milford Haven is forecast for 8:22am.

A spokesperson said: “Flooding is possible and people are advised to be cautious in coastal areas, particularly along footpaths and near estuaries.”

River and tide levels are being monitored at key locations, including Milford Haven and Haverfordwest. At 1:15am, the tide level at Milford Haven was recorded at -2.964mAOD and falling, while the Western Cleddau at Haverfordwest was steady at 0.484m.

Flood alerts have also been issued for other tidal areas in the county, including Little Haven, Lower Town Fishguard, Saundersfoot, Newgale, Dale, Amroth, Solva, Pembroke Dock, and Angle.

This is the latest in a series of alerts affecting the area over the past few months, with similar warnings issued in February and January.

Members of the public can check the latest information by calling Floodline on 0345 988 1188 and quoting quick dial number 503013.

Flood alert in force: 7:21pm on Sunday (Mar 30)
High tide at Milford Haven: 8:22am on Monday (Mar 31)

Firms optimistic about trading prospects and economy

WELSH business confidence surged to its highest level in eight months in March, according to the latest Business Barometer from Lloyds Bank.

Confidence among companies in Wales rose by 27 points to 51%, up from 24% in February. Optimism about their own trading prospects increased by 25 points to 56%, while confidence in the wider economy climbed by 27 points to 45%.

In addition, a net balance of 33% of Welsh firms said they expect to increase staff levels over the next year – a 13-point rise from the previous month.

Looking ahead, businesses in Wales cited their main priorities for the next six months as investing in their workforce through training (53%), investing in sustainability initiatives (34%), and evolving their product or service offerings (32%).

The Business Barometer, which has surveyed 1,200 businesses monthly since 2002, provides early indicators of regional and national economic trends. The data for March was collected between the 3rd and 17th of the month, ahead of the Chancellor’s Spring Statement.

UK-wide outlook

Across the UK, overall business confidence remained steady at 49%, unchanged from February.

While confidence in individual trading prospects held firm at 57%, optimism in the wider economy dipped by one point to 40%. The West Midlands and London were the most optimistic regions, both recording 62%, followed by the North West at 59%.

Sector insights

Retail was the standout sector in March, with confidence rising seven points to 58% – the highest level seen since the pandemic. The increase reflected positive expectations for trading conditions in the coming months.

Manufacturing saw the biggest drop in confidence, falling 12 points to 39%, as concerns over supply chain disruptions deepened. Confidence among construction firms slipped to 48%, while the services sector also saw a slight decline, down to 47%.

Lloyds: Businesses feeling brighter

Dave Atkinson, regional director for Wales at Lloyds Bank, said: “The changing of the seasons is also bringing a sunnier outlook for Welsh businesses.

“It’s particularly good to see firms so optimistic in their own prospects. As they look to capitalise on their confidence, we’ll be ready with our support to help them make the most of any opportunities ahead. This includes discounted lending to support investments in measures that improve environmental impact – something central to many Welsh firms’ growth plans.”

Hann-Ju Ho, Senior Economist at Lloyds Commercial Banking, added: “Business confidence remained steady this month, suggesting that UK companies may have been waiting to see the impact of government decisions at home and globally.

“Despite this, today’s data continues to reflect a positive growth trend in the UK economy. With confidence maintaining last month’s high, business leaders are optimistic, noting that investing in their development and workforce will position them well to seize future growth opportunities.”