fire service
Articles about work, policy and workers' struggles in the service sector, as distinct from retail, energy and communications.
Reduction of fire hazard: in the event of firefighter strike or war against Iraq - No War But The Class War
A public-service announcement from Her Majesty's No War But The Class War Office on how to respond to a strike of firefighters or the outbreak of war against Iraq.
A guide for employees, passengers and residents
Her Majesty’s No War But The Class War Office
NWBTCW/FP/7/A
The Fire-fighters - No War But The Class War
No War But The Class War leaflet produced at the beginning of the 2002-2003 firefighter's strike.
The fire-fighters are fighting for a 40% pay increase, from £21,00 to £30,000 per year. The ballot was 9 to 1 in favour of strike action, with an 84 % turnout. The Northern Ireland ballot was 97 % in favour of strike action. "This is the biggest national vote, in any union, for strike action since the trade union balloting laws were put in place" [FBU].
Firefighters clash with riot police in Athens
Firemen from all around Greece gather in Athens to demand permanent employment and clash with riot police forces
Tension rose to new levels in the Greek capital last week when two bodies of public security, the firemen and the riot police clashed in the center of Athens during the former's national campaign to protest against the non-implementation of promises made by the Ministry of Interior. Last year, the ministry promised permanent employment for 5,500 firefighters across the country by April 1st 2009.
South Yorkshire fire crews anger over shift changes
South Yorkshire fire crews have accused managers of being hell bent on confrontation over moves to impose new shifts.
They say there is growing anger among fire crews over new threats to impose new shifts.
Firefighters want to know why there has been no negotiation with their union before South Yorkshire fire authority councillors received the proposals for consideration. The Fire Brigades Union has still not been officially given details of the plans, although full press packs have been sent to the media.
Vallejo, California: Unions help city with lay-offs
The city of Vallejo in the San Francisco Bay Area may be the first city in California history to declare bankruptcy. However several unions are helping the city to cut jobs in an effort to ward off bankruptcy.
This cash-strapped city reached a tentative deal with its police and firefighters unions Thursday, just before city leaders convened to decide if the city would seek bankruptcy protection from a swell of economic uncertainty.
That question remains unresolved, however, as details of the deal will be made public today before the council revisits the issue Monday.
Funding cuts hit fire service
Following severe warnings from the Fire Brigades Union over government mishandling of the service, cuts have been announced in the Northeast and Southwest of the country. Freedom newspaper reports
After a grants round which saw a large drop in funding for some sectors, cutbacks are set to bite heavily in North Yorkshire and the South West.
Scotland: Airport workers to strike over 2% pay offer
After a 2% pay offer - 2.5% pay cut against inflation - fire-fighters and engineering staff in Highland airports in the T&G (Unite) union have decided to strike from July 30.
Starting July 30 a succession of 24hr strikes every week will affect airports across the Highlands and Islands from the largest in Inverness, which is expected to deal with several thousand holiday-makers and travellers at its most busiest time, to smaller airports in "Barra, Benbecula, Campbeltown, Islay, Kirkwall, Stornoway, Sumburgh, Tiree and Wick".
Belgium: wildcat strike at Brussels airport
All flights to and from Brussels airport were cancelled from 6am on Friday after firefighters and security personnel began wildcat action due to a dispute over overtime.
The pickets were set up at 6am and the strike lasted for a total of 11 hours, Brussels airport is not releasing details on the number of flights and passengers delayed but the numbers will be high and there will be a knock-on effect over the busy easter weekend.
Lions led by donkeys - FBU dispute, 2002-2003 - AF
Article written during the ongoing strike of fire fighters from 2002-2003 by the Anarchist Federation over pay and conditions, analysing the restructuring, the circumstances leading to the strike and the actions of the union.
Solidarity with the firefighters! AYN leaflet, 2003
A leaflet written and distributed by some people in the Anarchist Youth Network in the UK in 2003 during the strikes of firefighters for a pay increase to £30,000 and an end to "modernisation" or working practices.
