The following press release has just come from the Scottish Green Party election campaign:

The FBU today confirmed a donation of £500 to Patrick Harvie’s campaign for re-election as Glasgow’s Green MSP, a move welcomed by the Scottish Greens ahead of International Firefighters’ Day tomorrow.

Patrick Harvie said:

“I am most grateful to the Fire Brigades Union for their support for my campaign, which is a real vote of confidence for the final run-up to polling day. I share their concerns about the future of Scotland’s public services, which are now in graver danger than at any time since the 1980s, and I share their view that those who are suffering most are those who did nothing to cause the economic crisis. The Westminster Government doesn’t understand the social or economic consequences of their cuts agenda, and the next Scottish Parliament must act decisively to set a different course.”

John Duffy, Scottish Secretary of the FBU, said:

“Patrick has consistently recognised the importance of the fire and rescue service throughout the last session of Parliament. He is also very aware of the value of high quality public services and we look forward to working with him to protect those services over the coming years.”

 

This is not the first time the FBU have funded Greens – they have made similar contributions to Green AM Darrren Johnson’s elections in London on at least one occassion. However, it is good to see that the Greens and unions are continuing to build bridges. Hopefully this will be the first of many donations. Greens often talk about how unions should recognise us more. It is even more important, perhaps, that Greens get better at recognising the key role of unions in our movement. And the FBU have certainly done a lot to help build those links today.

Let’s hope the people of Glasgow follow their lead, and help sent Patrick back to Holyrood to defend jobs, public services, and the rights of trade unions.

But, in the meantime, as the chant goes, three cheers for the FBU.