Firefighter and father of three Ricky Matthews was dismissed for “gross misconduct” by Buckinghamshire & Milton Keynes Fire and Rescue Service after 17 years’ exemplary service for taking part in national industrial action called by the Fire Brigades Union.

Ricky was dismissed by voicemail and a letter confirming the decision was delivered by hand, by a senior manager, to his home address after 11pm on Saturday 1 November 2014. 

There was

·         No disciplinary investigation

·         No disciplinary hearing

·         No opportunity for Ricky to state his case

·         A refusal to hear an appeal.

The fire service claim that the strike action called in Buckinghamshire was ‘illegal’ and Ricky was dismissed for failing to attend work.  However, Buckinghamshire & Milton Keynes Fire and Rescue Service never made any attempt to have its assertion that the strike action was unlawful tested by the courts either in advance of the strike or by a subsequent referral to the High Court. Buckinghamshire & Milton Keynes Fire and Rescue Service have played the role of judge, jury and executioner.                                                   

Therefore Ricky Matthew’s dismissal was not in accordance with the principles of natural justice and was not warranted.

The only fair and reasonable outcome is for Buckinghamshire & Milton Keynes Fire and Rescue Service to reinstate Ricky Matthews immediately.