Londoners’ safety at risk

Published: 28 October, 2010

• NEARLY 5,600 London firefighters are facing dismissal unless they sign new contracts with worse shift patterns and attacks on terms and conditions. 

The London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority want ultimate flexibility, with cuts in night-time fire cover from 15 to 12 hours and an increase in day cover from nine to 12 hours. This would save money but would jeopardise public safety.  

The fire service is our insurance policy. Firefighters are there in our hour of need, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. 

In an emergency, the crucial thing is the speed of response. Fires double in size every four minutes and therefore tend to be bigger at night as they go undetected for longer. So reducing night-time cover is literally playing with fire! 

Also a 12-hour day shift is anti-social, making it harder for firefighters to spend time with their partners and families. 

In the run-up to the strikes, management have intensified their intimidation. Unable to cope with the “action short of strikes” they have unlawfully deducted pay. If any firefighter refuses to do one hour’s non-compulsory overtime, they are threatened with an 80 per cent deduction in pay!

Moreover, Brian Coleman, LFEPA chair and Tory GLA member for Barnet & Camden, is threatening to follow the example of Ronald Reagan and sack any firefighter who goes on strike. 

Such language shows what is at stake. Firefighters do not take strike action lightly, but the recent ballot showed the strength of feeling: 79 per cent of London FBU members voted to strike on a 79 per cent turnout. 

If the firefighters are defeated, it will boost the confidence of the LFEPA management and the Con-Dem coalition itself as it look to implement savage cuts. But if the firefighters win it will make it easier for other groups to do the same, and will set back the government’s plans to roll back the welfare state.  

We urge working people across Camden to do everything possible to build solidarity with the firefighters – take a collection at work, on your estate, at your trade union branch or campaign meeting. Invite FBU reps to speak at your local meeting. Join the FBU picket lines – bring banners. 

The next scheduled action by FBU members is on Monday November 1, followed by a 47-hour strike  from Friday morning  November 5 if the employers do not withdraw the threat of mass sackings.

Donations should be sent to the “London Region FBU” and clearly marked “Hardship Fund” – Lloyds Tsb sort code 30-94-57 a/c no 1764558.

GEORGE BINETTE
Chairperson 
MERLIN READER
Secretary 
for Camden Trades Council