News

Welsh Government rejects UK’s controversial Fire Service strike regulations

Published

2 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.

Community

Carmarthen Youth Opera receives King’s Award for Voluntary Services

Published

16 hours ago

May 9, 2024

Tom Sinclair

CARMARTHEN and District Youth Opera has been honoured with the King’s Award for Voluntary Services in recognition of its outstanding contributions to providing musical theatre opportunities for young people in the West Wales area.

Recognising outstanding examples of voluntary work, the King’s Award for Voluntary Service (KAVS) was created in 2002 to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II’s Golden Jubilee and previously known as The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service (QAVS), the Award has been shining a light on the fantastic work of voluntary groups from across the UK for many years. Equivalent to an MBE, KAVS is the highest Award given to local voluntary groups in the UK, and they are awarded for life.

Established in 1979, Carmarthen and District Youth Opera has been a cornerstone of the performing arts community in Wales for over four decades. What began as a small group of dedicated individuals at Carmarthen’s Further Education Centre youth club has flourished into one of Wales’s most successful cultural societies, thanks to the dedication of volunteers.

Under the leadership of the late Elizabeth Evans MBE and her husband David, Carmarthen and District Youth Opera has grown from strength to strength, showcasing high-quality musical entertainment and earning accolades such as the Lord Snowdon Award for its first annual music production of “Snow White” in 1979. Over the years, Carmarthen and District Youth Opera has continued to captivate audiences with productions ranging from “Oliver” to “Jesus Christ Superstar,” garnering national praise.

Further major Lyric refurbishment works in the early 1990’s and later, gave a home to the Youth Opera with a venue and facilities in which it could deliver productions of the highest quality to an audience of approximately 500 people. For a period of 15 years, it functioned as an entertainment centre run voluntarily by the Lyric Trust, drawn from the Youth Opera’s supporters. The theatre is since owned and run by Carmarthenshire County Council as a venue for current and future generations.

Carmarthen and District Youth Opera’s impact extends beyond the stage, with many former cast members pursuing successful careers in music and dramatic arts. The organisation’s commitment to excellence and inclusivity has earned it widespread recognition, including from Her Majesty the Queen, the Emir of Qatar, and their Royal Highnesses the Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall.

As Carmarthen and District Youth Opera celebrates this prestigious award, it remains firm in its commitment to nurturing young talent and enriching the cultural landscape of Wales.

Councillor Hazel Evans, Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Leisure, Culture & Tourism said: “Carmarthen and District Youth Opera embodies the spirit of community and dedication to the arts that enriches our region. Receiving the King’s Award for Voluntary Services is a testament to the unwavering commitment of its volunteers and the profound impact the organisation has on nurturing young talent. We are proud to celebrate their achievements and look forward to their continued contributions to the cultural vibrancy of West Wales.”

Business

Port welcomes first vessel to new workboat pontoons

Published

16 hours ago

May 9, 2024

Tom Sinclair

PEMBROKE PORT, which is owned and operated by the Port of Milford Haven, has welcomed the first customer to its new workboat pontoons. Installed as part of the Pembroke Dock Marine project to modernise the Port’s infrastructure, the pontoons are available for use by a range of vessels including workboats, barges and other small vessels.

CRC Sentinel, a dive support vessel owned by Commercial Rib Charter which is undertaking work on the Milford Haven Waterway, was the first to use the new pontoons.

Sharon Adams, Commercial Manager for Pembroke Port commented: “It’s great to see these new assets being utilised. Pembroke Port is perfectly positioned within the Port of Milford Haven to act as a hub for operations associated with marine activity taking place within the Port and the Celtic Sea. The pontoons are available for short and long term berthing and have secure access, as well as electricity and water hook ups.

The workboat pontoons compliment the other infrastructure upgrades we made as part of the Pembroke Dock Marine project including new laydown space and an expanded slipway.

We look forward to working with our existing customers, and welcoming new ones, to use the new facilities at Pembroke Port.”

The new infrastructure at Pembroke Port forms part of the Pembroke Dock Marine project to create a world-class energy and engineering centre of excellence and act as a focal point for capturing the economic value from wind, wave, and tidal renewable energy projects.

Alongside the Port’s own investment, Pembroke Dock Marine – a Swansea Bay City Deal project – is part funded by the UK Government and the European Regional Development Fund through the Welsh Government as well as other private sector partners.

During construction, the project supported over 50 jobs including 6 apprenticeships. Contractors BAM, Walters Group and R&M Williams undertook community activity during the project, with the local community benefiting from over £11m local spend.

For further details on the facilities at Pembroke Port, and how the Pembroke Dock Marine investments have readied Pembroke Port for future energy, please visit www.pembrokeport.com.

Education

Young people dive into My River project to learn about Cleddau

Published

16 hours ago

May 9, 2024

Tom Sinclair

DURING the Easter Holidays, young people from The Edge Youth Centre and the Army Welfare Service took part in a two-day environmental project in Haverfordwest in partnership with the Cleddau Project.

The ‘My River’ project enabled young people to connect with the River Cleddau, learn about the importance of looking after rivers and discuss what their river means to them as young people.

At the start of the project, the young people linked up with the West Wales Rivers Trust for the Big River Clean Up in Haverfordwest.

The young people helped clean up a stretch of the Western Cleddau River that runs alongside Bridge Meadow Park and Morrisons.

In the afternoon, they enjoyed an engaging session delivered by the Darwin Centre looking at the mini-beasts that live in our rivers under microscopes.

On day two the young people reflected on their findings creating a story with illustrator Fran Evans.

The young people created a piece of art telling the story of their river and the importance of looking after the river.

The story is called the ‘adventures of the trash trio’ and will be exhibited to the public at the ‘My River’ Art Exhibition at HaverHub, Quay Street, Haverfordwest at the end of June.

The young people will be coming back together in May Half-Term to explore the river in Haverfordwest by canoeing up the Western River Cleddau.

Steve Lewis, Senior Youth Worker said: “This project educated young people on the importance of our rivers and how they support wildlife, ecosystems and recreation activities. It was fantastic to see the enthusiasm from the young people and to see them connecting with their river.”

This project has been made possible by funding from the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.