PCS calls for decisive action on fire safety so Grenfell is never repeated

PCS delegate Hector Wesley spoke in support of motion 59 at TUC Congress today. He said: “Every single one of us relies on public services. It is in all our members’ interests to have a well-funded fire and rescue service.

“We’ve seen this week – with the publication of the Grenfell report – the lethal consequences of austerity and deregulation are all apparently. The Grenfell disaster is something that has deeply impacted me. I have met residents who survived the fire. A member of my local PCS union branch lost her brother in the fire.”

Wake-up call

“Grenfell should serve as a wake-up call across society and in government,” Hector told delegates.

“It should remind everyone that cuts have consequences. That when the drive for profit and efficiencies overrides the concerns of workers and tenants, there are consequences. That when the advice of expert civil servants is ignored, there are consequences.”

He said that too many times inquiry reports have been left to gather dust and “That cannot be the case with Grenfell.”

He said there had to be increased funding to the fire service, and increased resources to regulatory bodies too.

PCS supports the demands set out in the FBU Firefighters’ Manifesto  which spells out UK firefighters’ demands for improvements to their service, their profession and their conditions.

Ben Selby from the FBU moved the motion, which called for investment in the fire and rescue service. He said: “Tory austerity policies laid waste to fire services and have thrown the fire service back 50 years.”

He said that government ministers were culpable for Grenfell and countless other disasters by cutting back on health and safety. To applause he called on delegates to recognise the bravery of firefighters who attended the Grenfell fire.

The motion was overwhelmingly carried.

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