The Fire Brigades Union has accused Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service managers of trying to encourage its members to join other unions.
The FBU claims management is trying to undermine it as a tactic in a formal dispute over a controversial shift pattern.
The union says it is considering legal action against the fire service to stop the alleged inducement of its members to leave.
Under FBU rules, members can only be part of another union in agreed circumstances.
The union is unhappy with the fire service’s day crew plus (DCP) staffing which essentially means firefighters work a 12 hour shift followed by another 12 hour ‘passive’ shift where they sleep near the station ready to respond to 999 calls.
The system is popular with many firefighters because it offers enhanced pay – 74 Leicestershire firefighters have agreed to work it – but the FBU is opposed to it as it can lead to staff working 66 hours a week rather than the contracted 42.
Fire safety advice
A similar scheme run in South Yorkshire was last month deemed unlawful by a judicial review.
Now the Leicestershire FBU wants fire service bosses to bring in an alternative crewing system, as required by the Health and Safety Executive, or have proposals for one by July 12.
FBU brigade chairman Graham Vaux said: “We must stay strong and united.
“The FBU will continue to be the only union to represent all uniformed members.
“With the level of membership in Leicester at more than 90 per cent here lies our strength.”
In a statement the combined fire authority (CFA) said it was disappointed to have received notice of a dispute from the Fire Brigades Union.
It said: “The CFA and Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service are committed to maintaining good employee relations and will engage constructively with their workforce and the FBU to address the issues raised.
“The dispute raises a number of complex issues which will require detailed examination and this may take some time to resolve.
“The Day Crewing Plus (DCP) duty system was introduced in 2013, and has been extended to six fire and rescue stations.
“Currently, 74 firefighters work this voluntary duty system and they are concerned about the possibility that the duty system may have to change.
“The service will respond to the HSE directly and will continue to work with staff and representative bodies to try to get the agreements needed.
Later this year, the CFA will commence consultation on its Integrated Risk Management Plan (IRMP) for service delivery for the period 2020-24.
“This will include the potential to implement alternative crewing arrangements in the event of changes being required to the current working duty systems.
“The issues raised in the dispute will need to be taken into account in the development of the plans, and members of the public will be invited via the consultation process to engage and to help shape and influence the plans for the future of Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service.”
