News

Welsh Government rejects UK’s controversial Fire Service strike regulations

Published

8 months ago

March 20, 2024

THE WELSH GOVERNMENT’S rejection of the UK Government’s minimum service levels for the fire and rescue services has been met with strong support from the Fire Brigades Union (FBU), highlighting the depth of opposition to what is perceived as the most significant attack on the union’s ability to strike since its inception over a century ago.

In detailed communication, the FBU outlined the stringent regulations imposed by the UK Government’s Strikes (Minimum Service Levels) Act 2023, received with royal assent on 20 July 2023. These rules, aimed exclusively at England, compel fire and rescue services to maintain operations during strikes as if it were a normal working day. Specifically, the legislation mandates that a minimum of 73% of fire appliances be staffed, and control rooms function fully, regardless of ongoing strike actions.

***During a strike in 2002, ‘Green Goddesses’ were operated by military personnel to tackle blazes***

The FBU has condemned these regulations as a severe infringement on workers’ rights, designed to undermine the effectiveness of strikes. This sentiment is further echoed in the response of Hannah Blythyn, Welsh Deputy Minister for Social Partnership, who criticised the Act as an “unworkable intrusion” into devolved matters, affirming the Welsh Government’s refusal to implement such measures.

The backdrop to this controversy includes the FBU’s recent history of negotiation and industrial action.

Last year, amidst a wave of strikes in other services, the FBU managed to settle a national pay dispute without resorting to strikes, a result overwhelmingly supported by its members.

However, the new legislation threatens to severely restrict the union’s ability to conduct future strikes effectively.

Critically, the regulations introduce the concept of ‘work notices’, identifying specific workers required to maintain minimum service levels during a strike.

Failure to comply with these notices exposes workers to potential dismissal, while the FBU faces substantial fines. These measures have been denounced as draconian by union leaders and members alike.

The scope of the Act currently extends only to England, with the possibility of future regulations affecting other devolved administrations.

Yet, the explicit rejection of the legislation by the Welsh and Scottish governments has highlighted a significant devolution dynamic in the UK’s approach to industrial relations. The Northern Irish administration has also opted out of applying the legislation.

The imposition of these regulations has not gone unchallenged within England. The FBU points to the recent train drivers’ strikes, where no work notices were issued by any train operating company, as a precedent for resistance.

The union is urging fire and rescue authorities in England to commit not to issue work notices, drawing on solidarity and the potential for prolonged strike action to deter such measures.

The Conservative government bears the primary responsibility for these restrictions, with indications that some senior figures within the fire and rescue service have collaborated in designing the new measures.

This collaboration has been met with criticism from FBU members, questioning the mandate of the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) in endorsing these laws.

Amid these developments, the Westminster government maintains that the regulations are necessary to ensure public safety during strikes.

This stance is contested by the FBU, which argues that the government’s genuine concern for public safety would be better demonstrated through sustained investment in the fire and rescue service rather than restricting workers’ rights.

As the debate continues, the FBU is mobilising opposition to the minimum service levels, calling on fire and rescue authorities, MPs, and candidates in the upcoming general election to oppose the legislation.

With Labour pledging to repeal the regulations if elected, the battle over minimum service levels and the right to strike in the fire and rescue service is set to intensify in the lead-up to the next general election.

This development underscores the broader tensions between the UK Government’s push for restrictions on industrial action and the resistance from unions, devolved governments, and workers.

Crime

Police arrest suspects following vehicle interferences in Haverfordwest

Published

12 hours ago

November 4, 2024

Tom Sinclair

HAVERFORDWEST police responded swiftly after reports of multiple vehicle interferences in the Tasker Way area on Sunday night/early Monday morning (Nov 4).

Officers from the Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPPT) conducted extensive house-to-house enquiries, gathering evidence and reassuring the community. These efforts led to the identification of two suspects.

Both NPPT and Response teams acted promptly, locating and arresting the suspects, who are now in police custody.

News

Ancient Welsh hymns brought into 21st century with unique collaboration between Lleuwen Steffan and National Eisteddfod

Published

16 hours ago

November 4, 2024

Sarah Jane Absalom

Some of Wales’ long-forgotten hymn tunes are being brought vividly back to life this month, thanks to award-winning singer, songwriter and composer Lleuwen Steffan and her unique collaboration with the National Eisteddfod of Wales.

Performing as ‘Tafod Arian’ (Silver Tongue), the collaboration pays homage to the lost voices of the past, and infuses these timeless melodies with some highly contemporary electronic arrangements.

The project originated in 2012 when Lleuwen was working on a music project at St Fagan’s National History Museum where she came across some long-forgotten recordings of hymns which had been left in the sound archives. None of these hymns could be found in the official hymn books nor the older hymnal editions, possibly as the result of their informal, conversational lyrics, or because they often delved into the world of addiction, mental illness and the darker side of the psyche.

But now these unpublished and unknown hymns will be heard for the first time in over a hundred years when Tabernacl Chapel, Maenclochog, will be one of 50 Welsh chapels to be visited by Tafod Arian.

With translations and insights, the tour breathes new life into archive recordings, ensuring these cherished sacred songs rightfully claim their place in today’s spotlight. Lleuwen masterfully combines electronic and acoustic instrumentation, seamlessly blending the past with the present, and takes the stage alongside a dynamic quintet of international musicians including Sioned Webb and Gethin Elis from Wales, and Nolwenn Korbell and Brieg Guerveno from Brittany.

Despite the hymns’ long-distant past, the music is firmly in the present as Lleuwen uses various instruments to provide angular electronic accompaniment as well as her soulful vocals and guitar. She provides translations and explanations as she proudly puts the archive recordings of the lost |Welsh hymns on centre stage. As a result, these sacred songs are being passed on orally rather than via the hymn book which is precisely how Welsh folk music was conveyed.

The long-forgotten hymns will be heard once again in all their glory at Tabernacle Chapel, Maenclochog on Sunday, November 17 at 6.30pm.

Crime

Suspended sentence for Goodwick man who sent sexual messages to young girl

Published

16 hours ago

November 4, 2024

Court Reporter

THE FATHER of a young girl sent sexual messages to an individual he believed to be a 12-year-old girl online, Swansea Crown Court heard this week.

An undercover police officer posed as a 12-year-old girl on the website RandoChat, with the decoy’s profile stating they were 18.

James Roberts messaged the decoy on 9 August, stating he was “looking for a naughty girl”.

The decoy promptly informed him that she was 12 years old; however, the defendant continued to send messages referencing sexual acts and self-gratification.

Roberts added the decoy on Snapchat, claiming to be 19 and living in England.

He again sent sexualised messages and, referring to the decoy’s age, said they were “never too young to start sending pictures”.

The defendant also told the decoy that he was having similar sexual conversations with a 14-year-old, Mr Dickens said.

Police attended Roberts’ home in Goodwick on 17 August, and he was arrested. He denied having a mobile phone, claiming he “had sent it off to Samsung to be fixed” but was “extremely vague” when asked for further details. Mr Dickens said no phone was ever recovered by police.

The 28-year-old Roberts pleaded guilty to attempted sexual communication with a child. The court heard that he had no previous convictions.

Hannah George, in mitigation, said the defendant showed “some degree of remorse” and that there was a realistic prospect of rehabilitation.

“In the 13 months since he was interviewed there have been no further offences,” she said.

Ms George said Roberts had suffered “significant” shame and embarrassment as a result of the offences, and it had led to him losing his job.

He had previously been diagnosed with PTSD and suffered “deep periods of depression”, Ms George said.

She added that his contact with his young daughter “has been diminished” following these offences.

“You were in contact online with who you firmly believed to be a 12-year-old girl,” said Judge Paul Thomas KC, addressing Roberts.

“You have a two-year-old daughter. Just think how you would feel if a man in his thirties tried to have that sort of conversation with her in 10 years’ time.”

Roberts was sentenced to 30 weeks’ imprisonment, suspended for two years. He must complete 35 days of an accredited programme and 25 rehabilitation activity requirement programme days.

He must also register as a sex offender for 10 years and was made the subject of a three-year sexual harm prevention order.