Suffolk firefighters to take strike action - can you help?
Aug 18 2005 12:35
Hi, thought i'd repost this from sw, coz its important. Looks like nationally significant dispute has emerged on your patch.
Did anyone go on / see the firefighters march in Ipswich?
Suffolk firefighters to take strike action
Firefighters and control staff in Suffolk were due to take three rounds of strike action this weekend and into next Monday in what is an important dispute for the FBU union.
“You are on the front line of the union’s battle to defend the fire service,” Matt Wrack, general secretary of the FBU, told a rally of Suffolk firefighters and supporters on Thursday of last week.
There were delegations from as far afield as Northern Ireland on the 300-strong march in Ipswich, which drew applause from passers-by who were shocked by the cuts the fire authority is pushing ahead.
It plans to axe 12 jobs at Bury St Edmunds station, which runs one of only two turntable ladders in the county.
The significance of the strike action in Suffolk — which comes after a 68 percent yes vote — is that it is the first such action against the imposition of cuts since the 2002-3 pay dispute.
Across Britain fire authorities are drawing up local plans for fire cover, which are a direct result of the government doing away with national standards.
Most of those local plans involve cuts and the FBU in Suffolk is the first brigade to strike in response.
Vince Jell, chair of the FBU in Suffolk, appealed for support across the union for the battle.
“Collections and getting Suffolk firefighters on stations are now very important,” says Jim Brown from the FBU’s East Anglia region.
“It’s crucial to spread the message that we can resist, even in a small brigade like Suffolk.
“The government has just announced the locations for the new regional control centres that will replace brigade controls, leading to job cuts and a worse service.
“There are attacks on conditions underway in many brigades. We have to build up the confidence to take action.”
From
http://www.socialistworker.co.uk/article.php4?article_id=7163
Aug 18 2005 22:39
#2
Excellent. Please keep us posted on anything you guys are doing Saii, CSG people would be up for travelling up and giving support.
Aug 23 2005 23:25
#3
Strike went ahead on Friday, Sat and Sun. Next strikes are planned for October 3, 10, 17 and 24. Suffolk FBU also discussing future dates for additional strike action.
You can help out by doing collections for the strike fund. Send money, along with messages of solidarity, to:
“Suffolk Hardship Fund”, Lloyds Bank, sort code 30-94-55, account 4418949. Cheques should be sent to fund coordinator Kevin Block, 17 Kirby Street, Ipswich, Suffolk IP4 4PZ.
The suffolk strikers have their own website:
http://www.firefightersagainstcuts.co.uk
Yeah I've covered it for next issue of Freedom, more strikes are coming up. Was working during the march unfortunately, but I'm planning to phone up the brigade sec. for Bury about it, see what else we can do.