Fire union row on minority rights

Supporters of the motion say the committee is not representative

A row is brewing in the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) over voting rights held by black, gay and women representatives on its executive committee.

The FBU conference later this month will hear a proposal to reduce the power of the three groups so they only have an advisory role.

Supporters of the motion deny it is racist, homophobic or sexist.

They say firefighters in the three groups represent a small proportion of the total membership.

They say that, despite this, these groups hold the balance of power on the executive.

Supporters of the motion say, for example, that a gay firefighter can register a vote twice - first, through their regional official on the executive and then again with a gay representative on the executive.

This two-for-the-price-of-one position is regarded by those in support of the motion as undemocratic.

But the union's executive will oppose the motion, claiming that other groups with similar voting rights have not been targeted.

The women's representative has also called it divisive and has questioned the motives behind the resolution.