Firefighters to go on strike

[urmston]

Firemen are just another public sector group seeking to preserve their stupendously excellent terms and conditions in the face of economic decline.

They refuse to acknowledge that they should be paid less just because the people who pay their wages are paid less.

 

[Blue Maverick]

Firemen are just another public sector group seeking to preserve their stupendously excellent terms and conditions in the face of economic decline.

They refuse to acknowledge that they should be paid less just because the people who pay their wages are paid less.

Firemen are just a set of public sector workers trying to preserve the same terms they had in the boom times when no one gave a shit about us and its not about pay its about capability and pensions so before you criticise us get your facts right.

 

[urmston]

Firemen are just another public sector group seeking to preserve their stupendously excellent terms and conditions in the face of economic decline.

They refuse to acknowledge that they should be paid less just because the people who pay their wages are paid less.

Firemen are just a set of public sector workers trying to preserve the same terms they had in the boom times when no one gave a shit about us and its not about pay its about capability and pensions so before you criticise us get your facts right.

Yer what?

In future firemen will be paid less because the people who pay their wages are paid less.

I'm afraid it is as simple as that.

 

[Blue Maverick]

Which part of its not about pay don't you understand and we are also tax payers are we not? And the bankers who pay taxes certainly aren't been paid less are they?

 

[malg]

What I was alluding to last night if anyone is interested is:

During the strike of 2002/3 and Operation Fresco when the Military were called upon, not only manned the old Green Goddess but were also trained to use the more modern red fire appliance.

Now, many of the lads used during OP Fresco were removed from courses they were on, and some from promotion courses. 2 blokes I know were mid way through a 7 month course, and at the end of said course would have resulted in roughly a £400 a month pay rise. Theses lads were unable to get back onto their course for a further 18 months, not only resulting in a huge loss of pay, but this also had an impact on further promotion and therefore more money, and ultimately will have had an effect on their final pension. A quick bit of maths reveals the cost to many serving members of the Military at an excess of 10 grand if you include further promotion, and that is without calculating final pension.

Our firelighters deserve their pay-rise as they do an incredible job and do it with incredible professionalism and bravery, but I just thought I would point out something probably few knew anything about.

Yep, a few lads in a unit I was serving with at the time had Brecon courses 'delayed' due to deployment on Op Fresco. They did eventually get on the course, but God only knows the effect the time delay had on their careers. Mind you, they did get a nice Op Fresco certificate!

 

[law74]

What is it with fireman and second jobs? it is hardly a minimum wage job, it because of the four on and four off rota?

when I joined the FS (trained at London Rd M/Cr) you did 12 hour night shift where you could sleep if there were no calls, so you were awake all day next day and most guys had a 2nd job, carpet fitting, decorating etc its not like being a cop or a nurse who arent allowed to sleep at night for obvious reasons.

Its only my opinion (and Im not arguing it with anyone) :) but anyone who joins a public service job should never be allowed to strike, Police, Firemen, Ambo's, Nurses, Teachers, Armed Forces.
I realise I wont be popular on here for my view but its what I believe, if a house sets on fire and kids or disabled/old people are trapped upstairs I (as a trained professional) would never have left it to untrained soldiers with inferior equipment to save them.
Similarly as a nurse my wife would never strike.

If the government stop attacking the terms and conditions of service (especially those that joined because for those T&C's) then the public sector workers would not have to withdraw their labour.

& dont have anyone give me the "austerity" crap, tackle tax avoidance and evasion and there is no need for ANY cuts (though a cull of politicians would be welcome)

 

[Blue Maverick]

What is it with fireman and second jobs? it is hardly a minimum wage job, it because of the four on and four off rota?

when I joined the FS (trained at London Rd M/Cr) you did 12 hour night shift where you could sleep if there were no calls, so you were awake all day next day and most guys had a 2nd job, carpet fitting, decorating etc its not like being a cop or a nurse who arent allowed to sleep at night for obvious reasons.

Its only my opinion (and Im not arguing it with anyone) :) but anyone who joins a public service job should never be allowed to strike, Police, Firemen, Ambo's, Nurses, Teachers, Armed Forces.
I realise I wont be popular on here for my view but its what I believe, if a house sets on fire and kids or disabled/old people are trapped upstairs I (as a trained professional) would never have left it to untrained soldiers with inferior equipment to save them.
Similarly as a nurse my wife would never strike.

If the government stop attacking the terms and conditions of service (especially those that joined because for those T&C's) then the public sector workers would not have to withdraw their labour.

& dont have anyone give me the "austerity" crap, tackle tax avoidance and evasion and there is no need for ANY cuts (though a cull of politicians would be welcome)

At last a very good and responable post.

 

[BimboBob]

This is about pensions and working age stuff isn't it?

I've just had a chat with my cousin who works in a station in London. He confirms that...

On a night shift he sleeps most of the time even though they are not supposed to.
He has another job during the day to stop the boredom even though this has supposedly been stopped or discouraged.
He has never "run" into a building but has escorted people to safety.
He says that if there is no danger to life they will let a building burn as the insurance covers the costs. If there is a danger to nearby buildings then they will try and put it out.
He has pulled a cat out of a tree.
He has also had "Open Days" so the public can see what firemen do.
He also thinks that this is 'bizarre'.
He has attended more car crashes than fires over the years.
He fears that his fantastic pension will not be as fantastic when he hits 60 hence the strike action.
He has seen dead bodies.
He has lost colleagues. 4 to be precise, 3 of which had young kids.
He fears that he will be knackered before he hits 60 due to working his other job.
He misses having a pole to slide down although most people used the stairs.
He was at the Kings Cross fire and was physically sick afterwards. It was his first serious call out.
He says they do a lot of drills, sorting out kit and practising.
He loves his job. As do all of his mates.

 

[Blue Maverick]

What he's missed out is if he's injured on the job they can get rid if him if he can't carry on whether its tomorrow or 20 years down the line and he can't have his pension until he's 67!!

 

[mayo31]

Firemen are just another public sector group seeking to preserve their stupendously excellent terms and conditions in the face of economic decline.

They refuse to acknowledge that they should be paid less just because the people who pay their wages are paid less.

The old race to the bottom argument. Thick cnut.