Sorry, but this is probably only going to interest the Brits on the forum. Firefighters in the UK are about to engage in a series of strikes in support of their quest for a 40% pay deal. It seems the firefighters average wage is around £24,000 per year, which is roughly £480 per week. Firefighters have said in the media that they cannot afford to live on that salary and are ‘forced’ to take on a second job to make ends meet.
What do you all think?
Are they deserving of a 40% pay rise?
Is this a genuine grievance or are the trade unions using the firefighters to make a political statement?
Is it acceptable that soldiers are being drafted in to use 50 year old fire engines known as green godesses to provide emergency cover?
Is it acceptable that these soldiers are being asked to perform as firefighters without even breathing apparatus, let alone all the sophisticated equipment a modern fire appliance carries?
Do you feel your safety is being compromised by the firefighters actions?
Or do you think that firefighters have such a dangerous job that this prospective pay rise is deserved?
It’s over to you…….
Regards,
kev35
By: kev35 - 26th October 2002 at 15:47
RE: Firefighters to strike in UK
The threat of the firefighters strike and the danger it poses people has been graphically brought home to me today with a housefire in my street in which all the family have been injured. Firefighters entered the house in breathing apparatus and rescued everyone but the house is badly damaged. I live within two minutes drive of the fire station and their work as always is outstanding. However, I find it extremely worrying that if this had happened next week the fire might have been fought by inadequately trained and equipped soldiers who would have had to put their own lives at extreme risk to save the children.
So, I would have to say to the firefighters is an extra £6,000 a year really worth the suffering you are undoubtedly going to bring to the public? I can see a huge fire occurring with numerous casualties causing the Government to give in to their demands. If that happens, perhaps we should then treat our firefighters as the mercenaries they appear to want to become?
Regards,
kev35
By: Flanker112 - 26th October 2002 at 10:49
RE: Firefighters to strike in UK
What makes me sick is that on GMTV (?) on Friday a spokesperson for the Fire Service had no problem with saying that she thought going on strike for a 40% pay rise is worth risking peoples lives for, so much for responsibility.
By: A330Crazy - 23rd October 2002 at 19:34
RE: Firefighters to strike in UK
I think its a bit of a taken on though, going on strike on fireworks night!
By: Rabie - 23rd October 2002 at 17:40
RE: Firefighters to strike in UK
i am very slighty sympathetic BUT
nurses, police, etc, etc al earn less or similar so why should they get a pay rise when they are on a 4 day on 4 day off thingy
also their union has been dragging its feet over reforms.
at the momnet im ambivialnt but the gov has no real option but to stick it out and not give in.
rabie :9
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October 23, 2002 at 3:48 pm