The 55,000 firefighters in this country staged two national strikes late last year--for two days and eight days--to demand a 40 percent pay increase.

Firefighters are also fighting to defend jobs and maintain the quality of fire fighting services. An agreement reached in November between the FBU and the Fire Service employers--combining a 16 percent wage increase with negotiations on "working practices"--was vetoed by the Labour government, precipitating the second strike.

Subsequently the government admitted its real intention was to cut jobs from the fire service under the banner of "modernization." Firefighters’ view of this was captured by a slogan on a banner at the Orpington picket line in Kent: "Modernization = Cuts."

A third strike, due to last eight days, was called off in December by FBU leaders after they agreed to enter further negotiations; the two 48 hour actions in January and February were announced at the same time. FBU General Secretary Gilchrist said in December that, "Fire Service employers now have several weeks to put together a serious pay offer." A spirited demonstration and rally was held by firefighters in central London December 7.

When the employers met union officials on January 8, they presented proposals that would lead to 4,500 job cuts and 150 fire station closures. These proposals were based on an "independent" review commission--in reality heavily biased against the workers and in favour of the bosses--chaired by George Bain.

The union described the Bain review, published in December, as "insulting." However, an employers’ representative told the BBC January 8 that, "We will say Bain is the only game in town"--confirming that the Fire Service bosses had no intention of entering real negotiations. Gilchrist described their actions as "dictatorial."

Because of the bosses’ conduct, the FBU executive had received a "very clear" message at a meeting of 100 union representatives from around the country, the FBU leader said. A campaign of further "flexible and varied" strikes is to be announced shortly. Kenny Ross, an FBU representative from Strathclyde in Scotland, told the BBC, "There is no other option but to go on strike, all the talking is over."

Meanwhile, Fire Service minister Nicholas Raynsford announced that troops had been undergoing further training for their strike-breaking duties during the forthcoming firefighters’ strikes.

Tony Hunt is a meat worker in London.  
 
 
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