Firefighters set for industrial action

Posted: Wed Aug 19, 2009 1:33 am

Firefighters set for industrial action. (From ITN)

Firefighters in London, South Yorkshire, Humberside and Merseyside are involved in separate rows over jobs, conditions of service and disciplinary action.

The Fire Brigades Union has announced that several hundred of its Essex members will take industrial action next week against plans to cut jobs, including a ban on overtime.

The union said up to 8,000 of its members could be taking some form of industrial action by next week, the biggest number since the bitter national strike of 2002/3.

Meanwhile, Merseyside firefighters have also warned that they will ballot for a strike if a "victimised" union official who was sacked is not re-instated. A national rally and lobby of Parliament is being planned in October to highlight opposition to cuts in jobs and conditions of service.

FBU official Keith Flynn said: "Essex fire crews don't want to take any action but we have little option. We'd hoped to resolve the dispute by now but the fire authority keep finding excuses to avoid negotiating and have thus far refused our offer of a joint review that might reach an agreement.

"We've given as long as the law allows before we have to give notice of the start of action. This action is taken reluctantly but with great determination to stop cuts to frontline fire services."

Posted: Wed Aug 19, 2009 1:35 am

Lets take it national, the fat brigade (councillors are always obese with faces you would love to punch) can rely on 800 sub standard wanabee fire operatives riding clapped out appliances.

Lets see how many weeks they last.

Posted: Wed Aug 19, 2009 2:28 am

Forgive me for not fully understanding this... but basically a bunch of firemen are going on strike?

Posted: Wed Aug 19, 2009 3:15 pm

Yes,

because over 'the pond' we don't have the hero status you guys have. Our bosses treat us as if we are second class citizens

Posted: Wed Aug 19, 2009 4:35 pm

Ah... just never heard of the term, "industrial action" before...

The firemen going on strike isnt pathetic... its the reasons they have to go on strike for that are pathetic...

Once again... thats crazy... the fire service magagement there sounds like it has some serious problems.

I asked my grampa (over the phone... lives in Lancashire), if firemen are seen as heroes in the UK. From his point of view, they are to him and others he knows (i.e. all the civilians).

Sounds like the only guys who dont give you what you deserve is the guys over you... who control money flow. Isnt that coincidental...