fire service
Articles about work, policy and workers' struggles in the service sector, as distinct from retail, energy and communications.
Clashes between striking firefighters and Paris police
There have been serious clashes betwen striking firefighters and police in Paris today during demonstrations.
Fifteen members of the police force, seven riot-police and eight CRS, were injured and a police vehicle was burnt during clashes with the demonstrators. According to police reports there were thirty-five arrests.
Fire fighters in Britain on strike interview summary, 2002
This is the summary of an interview Prol-Position made end of November 2002 with a firefighter from Belfast who is also a representative of the FBU (Fire Brigade Union).
Firefighters call off unofficial action
Firefighters have called off the unsanctioned industrial action, in which they only responded to 999 calls, in a dispute over pay.
The BBC reported that crews across Norfolk started the action on Tuesday afternoon but without the backing of their trade union.
They said managers were not keeping to a pay deal agreed in 2003. Fire service managers met union representatives on Wednesday to reach an agreement.
After the meeting firefighters decided to call off the action, which was to answer only 999 calls.
Merseyside fire strike continues
Talks start tomorrow between the Fire Brigades Union and Merseyside Fire Authority, as fire fighters continue into the third day of two four day strikes over job losses.
Managers and non-union members have been running a scab service throughout the strike, although there have been no major incidents. Fire fighters will resume the service for two hours on Monday, then start a new four strike immediately afterwards assuming no agreement is reached.
For more information, see our previous article:
http://libcom.org/news/merseyside-fire-strike-300806
Merseyside firefighters’ strike
Over 1,000 members of the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) on Merseyside are planning an 8-day walkout over plans to cut over 150 jobs.
Update: the strike is now on
Fire strike extinguished?
The government has attempted to head off a strike by thousands of firefighters across the UK by proposing a modification to its pension reforms.
Ministers had intended to raise the retirement age from 50 to 60 for new starters, creating a two-tier workforce. The new offer allows those with 30 years' service to retire at 50 - i.e. only those who begin service at the age of 20 or younger.
However, despite disquiet amongst delegates to the emergency FBU conference in Southport, the leadership is expected to call off the strike.
Possible strikes at Luton, Birmingham and Heathrow
Fire and security staff at Birmingham airport have voted for 2-1 in favour of strike action in December over the sacking of two union organisers.
There is also likely to be a ballot on strike action at Luton airport after the Transport and General Workers' Union discovered Polish agency workers were being paid substantially less than British workers at Big Orange Handling - the luggage handlers for Easy Jet.
West Midland firefighters vote to strike
Fire crews vote for strike action West Midlands firefighters have voted in favour of strike action over changes to their shift system.
More than 2,000 FBU members took part in a ballot last month which had a majority of three to one in favour of action, however dates have not yet been set for the walk outs.
West Midlands Fire and Rescue Service has been liaising with the Army to provide emergency cover.
