🚒 FBU members let’s show our support and stand together outside the Scottish Parliament on Monday 26 October at 5pm to show solidarity, stand against violence and harassment, and support everyone’s right to feel safe at night👇@fbunational @FBUScotNorth @FbuEast @WestScotlandFBU @FBU_Scotland_EC @AngusSproul @JMcKScotRegSec @SistersACG

✊ Day 2 - STUC Women’s Conference 2026 – FBU Emergency Motion FBU Scotland’s Seona Hart moved an emergency motion calling for support for the Reclaim the Night demonstration and demanding sustainable, multi-year funding for women’s services across Scotland. Seona highlighted the uncertainty facing vital services, including Murray’s Initiative, which faces the loss of funding in March 2027. With violence against women and girls declared a national emergency, Seona challenged the lack of secure funding for the specialist services women depend upon. 🗣️ “Their recovery doesn’t operate on a funding cycle. Their safety doesn’t come with a financial year-end. And neither should the support they depend upon.” Seona called for multi-year, ring-fenced funding to protect these services, the women who rely on them and the workers delivering vital support. ✊ “You cannot declare an emergency and then fund the response as though it is optional.” 📢 RECLAIM THE NIGHT DEMONSTRATION 📅 Monday 26 October 🕔 5pm 📍 Outside the Scottish Parliament, Edinburgh A national emergency demands a national response! #STUCWomensConference #FBUWomen #ReclaimTheNight #EndVAWG #FundWomensServices @fbunational @FBUScotNorth @FbuEast @WestScotlandFBU @FBU_Scotland_EC @AngusSproul @JMcKScotRegSec @fire_scot @reclaimthenight @SistersACG

✊ Day 2 - STUC Women’s Conference 2026 FBU Scotland’s Lynette Connachan spoke in support of amended Motion 27, “Reform UK – A Threat to Women’s Safety”, moved by ASLEF and amended by UNISON. Lynette highlighted the hypocrisy of those claiming to protect women and girls while tolerating misogynistic attitudes and degrading comments towards women. She also challenged the use of women’s safety as a justification for hostility towards marginalised groups. 🗣️ “Women’s rights are not a weapon to be used against minorities. They are rights that must be defended for all women.” Lynette emphasised that political rhetoric has consequences beyond Parliament, influencing attitudes in our communities and workplaces. ✊ Our rights were hard won. They must never be taken for granted. #STUCWomensConference #FBUWomen #WomensRights #SolidarityNotDivision @fbunational @FbuEast @FBUScotNorth @WestScotlandFBU @FBU_Scotland_EC @AngusSproul @JMcKScotRegSec @fire_scot

✊ Day 2 - STUC Women’s Conference 2026 FBU Scotland’s Cari McIntyre spoke in support of USDAW’s motion on Tackling Misogyny and the Far Right. Cari highlighted the importance of women having a voice in challenging misogyny, discrimination and the growing influence of far-right ideology. As Cari powerfully stated: 🗣️ “If women aren’t at the table, then they are on the menu!” Women must be part of the conversations, decisions and movements shaping our future. ✊ Our voices matter, and we will not be silenced! #STUCWomensConference #FBUWomen #TacklingMisogyny #WomenInTradeUnions @fbunational @WestScotlandFBU @FBUScotNorth @FbuEast @FBU_Scotland_EC @AngusSproul @JMcKScotRegSec @fire_scot

✊ Day 2 - STUC Women’s Conference 2026 FBU Scotland’s Cari McIntyre spoke to second ASLEF’s motion calling for the decriminalisation of abortion in Scotland. Cari highlighted the importance of protecting women’s reproductive rights, ensuring access to safe healthcare and recognising that decisions about women’s bodies should be treated as healthcare matters, not criminal ones. Women’s health. Women’s rights. Women’s choice. ✊♀️ #STUCWomensConference #FBWomen #ReproductiveRights #WomensRights @fbunational @FBUScotNorth @FbuEast @WestScotlandFBU @FBU_Scotland_EC @AngusSproul @JMcKScotRegSec @fire_scot

🔥FBU Scotland Women’s Section delegation on fire at STUC Women’s Conference 2026 this week, standing together, raising important issues and demanding the change women deserve in workplaces🔥@fbunational @FbuEast @WestScotlandFBU @FBUScotNorth @FBU_Scotland_EC @AngusSproul @JMcKScotRegSec @fire_scot

🚒 Day 2 - NO MORE CUTS! INVEST IN OUR FIRE SERVICE! ✊ Today at STUC Women’s Conference, Cari McIntyre moved Motion 16 on behalf of the FBU, calling for greater investment in the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service. Cari highlighted how cuts and chronic underfunding not only threaten public safety but also undermine progress towards equality. Women firefighters continue to face inadequate facilities, unsuitable PPE and insufficient maternity and menstrual health support. 🗣️ “We cannot continue to say that equality is a priority while treating investment in women’s needs as an optional extra.” Recruiting women is not enough. We must invest in workplaces that support them to stay, progress and thrive. Protecting our fire service means protecting jobs, communities and equality! ✊ No more cuts. Invest in our future! #STUCWomensConference #FBUScotland #WomenFirefighters #NoMoreCuts #Equality @fbunational @FBUScotNorth @FbuEast @WestScotlandFBU @FBU_Scotland_EC @AngusSproul @JMcKScotRegSec @fire_scot

🔥 Day 2 - STUC Women’s Conference 2026 – Inequality in Women’s Health and Medical Care FBU Scotland’s Susan Nicoll spoke in support of Motion 14 on inequality in women’s health and medical care. Susan highlighted how women’s health has been overlooked, misunderstood and underfunded for far too long. Whether discussing endometriosis, menstrual health, perimenopause or menopause, women continue to face unacceptable delays in diagnosis, inadequate treatment and a lack of understanding. Within the fire and rescue service, these challenges are particularly apparent. Women firefighters work in physically demanding, safety-critical environments, wearing heavy protective equipment, working in extreme temperatures and undertaking long operational shifts. Imagine experiencing debilitating period pain, heavy bleeding or severe menopausal symptoms while wearing structural firefighting PPE, with limited access to appropriate welfare facilities. Yet women are often expected to simply get on with it. That is why the FBU Women’s Section is launching Code Red, our campaign to challenge workplace barriers around menstrual health, perimenopause and menopause. We are calling for better facilities, greater awareness, appropriate workplace adjustments and fairer attendance management procedures. The FBU will also be lobbying the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service to introduce up to 16 days of additional paid menopause leave, matching provision already available within London Fire Brigade. If London can demonstrate that this support is achievable, why should women firefighters in Scotland receive less? A woman’s postcode should not determine the dignity, understanding or protection she receives at work. #STUCWomensConference #FBUScotland #WomensHealth #MenstrualHealth #Menopause #CodeRed #TradeUnionSolidarity #WorkplaceEquality @fbunational @FBUScotNorth @FbuEast @WestScotlandFBU @FBU_Scotland_EC @AngusSproul @JMcKScotRegSec @fire_scot

🔥 Day 2 - STUC Women’s Conference 2026 – Tackling Sexual Harassment in Our Workplaces FBU Scotland’s Alex Marjoram spoke passionately in support of Unite’s motion on sexual harassment. Alex highlighted the findings of the FBU National Women’s Committee survey, which revealed that 30% of women respondents had experienced sexual harassment within our own trade union structures. She stressed that sexual harassment, misogyny and inappropriate behaviour must never be dismissed as workplace banter or accepted as part of the culture. Alex reminded Conference: “As firefighters, we know that safety is built on clear standards, proper protection, and unwavering solidarity. Fighting sexual harassment requires the exact same commitment.” The FBU stands firmly alongside our sisters across the trade union movement in demanding workplaces free from harassment, discrimination and intimidation. Sexual harassment has no place in our workplaces, our unions or our communities. ✊ Solidarity! #STUCWomensConference #FBUScotland #SexualHarassment #WomensRights #TradeUnionSolidarity #SafeWorkplaces @fbunational @FBUScotNorth @FbuEast @WestScotlandFBU @FBU_Scotland_EC @AngusSproul @JMcKScotRegSec @fire_scot

🚒 FBU Scotland | STUC Women’s Conference 2026 ✊ Lynette Connachan supporting EIS motion on the impact of war on women and girls Lynette highlighting that time and time again women are excluded from peace tables, shut out from transitional justice and ignored in post-conflict recovery. Internationalism is at the heart of the trade union movement and we cannot stand in our fire stations or work places and turn a blind eye to the fascism, war and violence dismantling the lives of our sisters across the globe. #STUCWomensConference #FBUScotland @fbunational @FBUScotNorth @FbuEast @WestScotlandFBU @FBU_Scotland_EC @AngusSproul @JMcKScotRegSec @fire_scot

✊ STUC Women’s Conference 2026 Kerry McCrone, FBU Scottish Women’s Secretary, seconded the RMT motion on Supporting Offshore Women Workers. Kerry highlighted the clear similarities between the challenges faced by women working offshore and women firefighters, both working in traditionally male-dominated industries where workplace facilities, policies and cultures have too often failed to recognise and accommodate the needs of women. From inadequate welfare and sanitary facilities to ill-fitting PPE, workplace discrimination and a lack of understanding around women’s health, the parallels are striking. Kerry emphasised that women should not have to continually fight for basic dignity, safety and equality simply because they work in industries historically designed around men. Women should not have to adapt to workplaces that fail to meet their needs. Workplaces must adapt to ensure women are properly supported. ✊ Solidarity with our RMT sisters and all women working in male-dominated industries. #STUCWomensConference #FBUWomen #RMT #WomenWorkers #WorkplaceEquality #HealthAndSafety @fbunational @FBUScotNorth @FbuEast @WestScotlandFBU @FBU_Scotland_EC @AngusSproul @JMcKScotRegSec @fire_scot

🔴 STUC Women’s Conference 2026 – Perimenopause: A Workplace Health, Safety and Equality Issue Kerry McCrone, FBU Scottish Women’s Secretary, spoke to second the CWU motion on Perimenopause – A Workplace Health, Safety and Equality Issue. Kerry highlighted the FBU’s upcoming CODE RED campaign, which calls on the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) to provide meaningful support for women across all aspects of menstrual health, perimenopause and menopause. 🚒 For far too long, women firefighters have been expected to work in environments where basic facilities to manage their menstrual and menopausal health are inadequate or simply nonexistent. From fire stations to the incident ground, these unacceptable conditions have been allowed to continue for far too long. Menstrual health and menopause are not simply women’s issues – they are workplace health, safety, dignity and equality issues. The FBU Women’s Committee will continue to challenge these inequalities and push for appropriate facilities, meaningful workplace policies and practical support that recognise the needs of women throughout their careers. ✊ Our women members deserve more than words of support. They deserve workplaces that meet their needs, protect their health and uphold their dignity. 🔴 CODE RED – Because women’s health matters. #STUCWomensConference #FBUWomen #CodeRed #MenstrualHealth #Perimenopause #Menopause #WorkplaceEquality #HealthAndSafety #WomensRights @fbunational @FBUScotNorth @WestScotlandFBU @FbuEast @FBU_Scotland_EC @AngusSproul @JMcKScotRegSec @fire_scot

🟣 STUC Women’s Conference 2026 ✊ Susan Nicoll spoke on behalf of the FBU in support of Motion 4 – Workplace Support for Survivors of Domestic Violence. Susan highlighted that women experiencing domestic violence should be able to turn to their employer for understanding, compassion and meaningful support. Unfortunately, the reality is often very different. Women can find themselves facing poorly managed situations, a lack of understanding and workplace practices that add further stress and trauma to an already incredibly difficult situation. The FBU Women’s Section is currently working with the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) on the development of a domestic violence policy, recognising the importance of ensuring that employees experiencing domestic abuse receive appropriate, consistent and compassionate support. Employers have a responsibility to ensure that survivors are treated with dignity, sensitivity and respect, with policies that translate into meaningful support in practice. The workplace should be a place of safety and support for survivors of domestic violence, never another source of distress. ✊ Solidarity with all survivors. #STUCWomensConference #FBUWomen #DomesticViolence #WorkplaceSupport #TradeUnionSolidarity @fbunational @FBUScotNorth @FbuEast @FBU_Scotland_EC @AngusSproul @JMcKScotRegSec

🚒 FBU Scotland | STUC Women’s Conference 2026 ✊ Motion 1 – Strengthening the Worker Protection Act FBU Scotland’s Alex Marjoram spoke in support of Motion 1, brought by the STUC Women’s Committee, reaffirming the FBU’s full support for extending the scope of the Worker Protection Act to include a preventative duty on employers to tackle racial and other forms of harassment, alongside sexual harassment. Alex highlighted the importance of mandatory workplace training on sexual harassment, misogyny, misogynoir and other forms of discrimination, recognising that education is essential to challenging harmful attitudes, addressing unacceptable behaviours and creating safer, more inclusive workplaces. Employers must do more than respond to harassment after it happens. They must have a legal responsibility to take proactive steps to prevent it. Alex also emphasised the importance of an intersectional approach, recognising that women can experience multiple and overlapping forms of discrimination and that workplace protections must reflect this. The FBU remains committed to challenging discriminatory workplace cultures and campaigning for stronger protections that ensure every worker can carry out their role free from harassment, intimidation and discrimination. ✊ Every worker deserves dignity, respect and safety at work. Prevention must be a priority, not an afterthought. #STUCWomensConference #FBUScotland #WorkersRights #SexualHarassment #Misogyny #Misogynoir #EqualityAtWork @fbunational @FBUScotNorth @FbuEast @WestScotlandFBU @FBU_Scotland_EC @AngusSproul @JMcKScotRegSec @fire_scot

🚒 FBU Scotland | STUC Women’s Conference 2026 ✊ Closing the Gender Pension Gap – Dignity in Retirement for Scottish Women FBU Scotland’s Seona Hart spoke in support of Motion 2, brought by UNISON, highlighting the pension inequalities faced by women across Scotland, including operational firefighters and firefighter control. Seona highlighted the injustice faced by women firefighters who choose or need to extend their maternity leave beyond the current 26 weeks full pay from the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service. The resulting reduction in pay and pension contributions can have a lasting financial impact for women who choose to start or grow their family and contributes to the gender pension gap. Our own FBU maternity survey confirmed that women firefighters are taking additional maternity leave beyond the current period of full pay. While fire and rescue services across the U.K. are improving maternity provisions and moving towards 52 weeks of paid leave, SFRS is falling behind and letting its women firefighters down. This is exactly why the FBU continues the FF52 campaign for 52 weeks full maternity pay, a campaign that is not simply a maternity or family friendly campaign, it’s an EQUALITY campaign✊ #STUCWomensConference #FBUScotland #FightFor52 #MaternityRights #GenderPensionGap #WomenFirefighters #EqualityInRetirement @fbunational @FbuEast @WestScotlandFBU @FBUScotNorth @FBU_Scotland_EC @AngusSproul @JMcKScotRegSec @fire_scot

✊ FBU Women’s Committee – STUC Women’s Conference 2026 We’re all set up and ready for day one of the STUC Women’s Conference! This year, we’ll be moving our motion on Protecting the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service from Cuts, highlighting the importance of defending our vital public services, protecting firefighters and ensuring the safety of our communities. We’re also proud to stand in solidarity with our sisters from across the trade union movement, supporting motions addressing the challenges facing women and girls in Scotland, in our workplaces and across the world. Stronger together, united in solidarity and determined to make a difference! ✊💜 #STUCWomensConference #FBUWomen #TradeUnionWomen #Solidarity #ProtectOurFireService @fbunational @FBUScotNorth @WestScotlandFBU @FbuEast @FBU_Scotland_EC @AngusSproul @JMcKScotRegSec @fire_scot

David McCrone Amber Watch Ayr, receiving 25 year FBU membership from FBU Women’s Rep & Lifelong learning organiser Kerry McCrone. Thank you for your loyal support David✊@WestScotlandFBU @FBUScotNorth @FbuEast @FBU_Scotland_EC @AngusSproul @JMcKScotRegSec

💜 MENOPAUSE AWARENESS WORKSHOP – SPACES STILL AVAILABLE! 💜 📅 11th November 2026 ⏰ Registration closes 30th October! The FBU, with funding from Scottish Union Learning, is delighted to offer a menopause awareness workshop delivered by Ruth Devlin, founder of Let’s Talk Menopause. Ruth has over 30 years’ experience in health and wellbeing, beginning her career as a registered nurse. She is an experienced menopause educator who delivers workplace training across a range of sectors, including the NHS. Ruth also co-hosts the Menopause Matters, Let’s Talk podcast alongside leading menopause specialist Dr Heather Currie MBE. The workshop will provide evidence-based information, explore the physical and psychological symptoms of perimenopause and menopause, and offer practical advice on managing symptoms and improving wellbeing. 💜 This workshop isn’t just for those experiencing menopause! It’s also a valuable learning opportunity for managers, supervisors and colleagues who want to better understand the challenges menopause can present in the workplace and develop the knowledge and confidence to support their teams. Creating a menopause-aware workplace benefits everyone, and education is an important step towards breaking down stigma and encouraging open, supportive conversations. ✅ Open to ALL Scottish Fire and Rescue Service employees, regardless of union membership. 🚗 FBU members can claim reasonable travel expenses. 📩 To register, email: kerry.mccrone@fbu.org.uk ⚠️ Spaces are still available, but registration closes on 30th October! #MenopauseAwareness #FBU #ScottishUnionLearning #SFRS #WorkplaceWellbeing #MenopauseInTheWorkplace @fbunational @FBUScotNorth @FbuEast @WestScotlandFBU @FBU_Scotland_EC @AngusSproul @JMcKScotRegSec @UnityConsults @fire_scot

🔥 FBU EC Member for Scotland, Colin Brown, on what it feels like to fight a burning Arthur’s Seat and calls for investment into Fire and Rescue Services to prepare for increasing wildfires and the effects of climate change👇🔥🚒 @fbunational @FBUScotNorth @FbuEast @WestScotlandFBU @FBU_Scotland_EC @AngusSproul @JMcKScotRegSec @UnityConsults @fire_scot @JohnSwinney scottishleftreview.scot/wild…