Strike ballot over 'fat' fireman

Anne McAllister
Member - 151 posts

I think the employer has acted unreasonably in this instance.
Judging by the photo the fireman concerned does appear to be a big guy and they are quite right in saying the community he serves are entitled to firemen who are able to carry out all functions of the job.
On the other hand ,however, they could have redeployed him elsewhere.
I sincerely hope this can be resolved without going to strike action but Im with the FBU 100%

Mike Kane
Member - 24 posts

It is interesting to note that whilst Grampian FRS have sacked this guy for being "fat", there are many other fire services which are actively refusing to allow firefighters to retire on ill health grounds and are re-deploying them in other non-operational posts within the service. This is as a result of government guidelines (DCLoG) and the fire authorities quest to minimise pension payouts. Very strange that there seems to be one rule in one service and one rule in another. I am sure that the FBU will win this case in the Courts

Mike Kane
fireuk@msn.com

Alex Gordon
Member - 21 posts

I am led to believe that one of the reasons that Scottish local government pension funds (including Firefighters) are in a "healthier" state than those down south is that in general we die younger representing less of a drain on funds when retired.
This may mean it is easier to get rid of firefighters in Scotland.

David Price
Member - 84 posts

Is it only me who thinks that regardless of this firefighters size, that if he can still carry out all of his duties as a firefighter then he should be allowed to do so.

There must be set fitness tests and performance tests that they can give him to see if he is still up to doing his job, If he then goes on to fail them, then remove him from duty and not before.

I assume that this guy was not this size when he joined the fire service, so why have his bosses let it go this far before taking any action, it's like saying today you are a borderline fat bloke so carry on, but tomorrow you are too fat and must stop.

I've seen plenty of Fat Police men who would fail the fitness tests they took when they first joied the force, does that mean we should sack all of them as well?

Craig Stuart
Member - 99 posts

Methinks it may have something to do with saving a few bob on his pension payout...

Or is that just my cynical mind working overtime? Support the FBU!