06/05/2005
Gilchrist ousted as FBU leader
Andy Gilchrist has lost his post as General Secretary of the Fire Brigades Union (FBU), following an election for general secretary.
Mr Gilchrist was beaten by left-wing candidate Matt Wrack in the secret postal ballot. Over 20,000 FBU members voted in the election, with Mr Wrack receiving 12,883 votes, compared to Mr Gilchrist’s 7,259.
Mr Gilchrist, who had held the post of FBU General Secretary for five years, led fire fighters in a national strike over pay and working conditions. However, Mr Wrack was opposed to the deal that finally ended the strike.
Mr Wrack said that he was “enormously proud” to be elected and congratulated Mr Gilchrist on “a hard fought campaign”. He said: “We now need to unite and face the challenges ahead. The FBU is the only union in the fire service with the unity and strength of purpose to face up to those challenges. As a General Secretary I will represent all members of the FBU, our professionalism and the pride with which we serve our communities. I look forward to rolling up my sleeves and getting down to that work.”
Mr Gilchrist congratulated Mr Wrack and said: “At the end of a hard fought campaign the members have spoken and the outcome must be accepted. I have been very proud to serve the FBU for many years as a national official and as General Secretary. I would urge all members to unite to face the challenges ahead.”
(KMcA/SP)
Mr Gilchrist was beaten by left-wing candidate Matt Wrack in the secret postal ballot. Over 20,000 FBU members voted in the election, with Mr Wrack receiving 12,883 votes, compared to Mr Gilchrist’s 7,259.
Mr Gilchrist, who had held the post of FBU General Secretary for five years, led fire fighters in a national strike over pay and working conditions. However, Mr Wrack was opposed to the deal that finally ended the strike.
Mr Wrack said that he was “enormously proud” to be elected and congratulated Mr Gilchrist on “a hard fought campaign”. He said: “We now need to unite and face the challenges ahead. The FBU is the only union in the fire service with the unity and strength of purpose to face up to those challenges. As a General Secretary I will represent all members of the FBU, our professionalism and the pride with which we serve our communities. I look forward to rolling up my sleeves and getting down to that work.”
Mr Gilchrist congratulated Mr Wrack and said: “At the end of a hard fought campaign the members have spoken and the outcome must be accepted. I have been very proud to serve the FBU for many years as a national official and as General Secretary. I would urge all members to unite to face the challenges ahead.”
(KMcA/SP)
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