Keep The Opt Out
Welcome
What is the Opt Out?
Arguments against
Arguments for
Chronology
In the press
More resources
What you can do
The RFU
Welcome to KeepTheOptOut.co.uk a web resource supporting the right of employees to make their own choice as to the hours they want to work.
No agreement reached on Working Time Directive
This site is run by The Retained FireFighters Union and primarily our concern is if the opt out is removed then Retained Fire Fighters will no longer be able to be employed. Did you know that 91% of the land mass of the UK is protected by Retained Fire Fighters?
Retained Fire Fighters are those who respond to an emergency request via a pager but otherwise live and work in your community. However as the EU is trying to limit the number of hours worked by an employee to 48 hours a week your local Fire Service will not be able to employ them.
The loss of the Opt out is without doubt the biggest single threat to the viability of the Retained Fire Service.
Although this website is primarily designed to highlight the effects of the Opt Out to your Fire Service, it should not be forgotten that this Opt Out will affect every employed person in the UK. If your employed - it will affect YOU!