FBU pull back curtains on cuts

Essex fire bosses are refusing to talk to the FBU union after it exposed their pay rises and expenses claims.

In recent weeks the union has exposed the chief officer’s £28,000 pay rise as well as a £7,000 expenses claim for floor tiles, carpets and curtains at his home.

And the union is continuing to fight over the disciplining of 42 Basildon firefighters in what it says was a “kangaroo court”. It has made official complaints against fire authority councillors who passed firefighters’ letters expressing concern at cuts on to their managers.