Long-serving Fire Brigades Union general secretary Matt Wrack has lost his bid for re-election, after facing a challenge from the union’s vice president Steve Wright.
Wrack, who has served in the role since 2005, faced a campaign from Wright, who received endorsements from more than twice the number of branches of the union.
Matt Wrack received 40% of the vote, with 3,436 votes and Steve Wright received 60% of the vote with 5,188 votes.
Wright’s campaign also said during the contest that the “election has made it clear that members feel a growing disillusionment” about Wrack’s leadership.
‘We will campaign for a fit-for-purpose fire and rescue service’
Following his election, Wright said: “I am deeply honoured to have been elected as general secretary of the Fire Brigades Union, and I want to thank all FBU members who participated in this election.
“However you voted, I will work with the Executive Council and all FBU officials every day to deliver for you – together we will fight for your pay, pensions and terms and conditions.
“I stand by the commitments made to members in my election statement. The FBU remains committed to implementing our policies set by members at our annual conference. Together, we will campaign for a fit-for-purpose fire and rescue service that protects the public and its employees, with genuine investment and national standards.
“Our union has a proud history of standing together, and recent campaigns have shown what can be achieved through unity and determination. We will continue to build on these and win improvements in pay, terms and conditions, safety and lead the fight for equality in the fire and rescue service.
“The strength of our union lies in its members, and I look forward to working with all of our members to deliver on the priorities that we set together.”
READ MORE: Inside the FBU ‘civil war’ as union urges ‘civilised’ general secretary contest
“This work has meant having difficult conversations inside our union and must be continued.
“I leave the FBU with my head held high. Since the age of 16 I have been an active anti -racist, anti-fascist. I became a socialist as a teenager and I have been a trade unionist all my working life. My views and values have not changed and I will continue that fight.”
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The contest was particularly heated, with the Labour-affiliated union stepping in during the campaign to stress the election must be fought in a “civilised manner”.
Prior to the result, Wrack told The Independent that he expected the result to be “close”.
The news comes days after RMT general secretary Mick Lynch announced his retirement after serving in the role for more than three years
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