Support the Firefighters!

Submitted by on 17 February, 2003 - 10:16

Despite strikes having been repeatedly cancelled, and media attention turning from the fire fighters towards Iraq, the FBU pay dispute is still alive.
Public support for the firefighters' claim is still fairly high, but it would be much higher if socialists and trade unionists thought more seriously about organising solidarity, rather than just paying lip service to slogans like 'victory to the firefighters.'

Firefighters risk their lives every time they go to work - surely this is worth more than £5.50 an hour? The government talks of modernisation, but what it really means is job cuts and regressions in working practice. The 'modernisation' which the government proposes actually means cutting 3,000 jobs and decreasing the number of firefighters on duty at night. In reality, the government's plans (spearheaded by the No Brain Bain Report) would actually endanger public safety. Just think about that for a minute - this government is prepared to risk your life to save a few extra pounds.

As the war train gathers speed, Gordon Brown has already set aside £1 billion to fund the murder of thousands of innocent Iraqis. How can he possibly claim that he can't afford a few hundred million to pay people to do a job we actually need?

The firefighters' 40% claim has been made to seem outrageous and greedy but sections of the press, but it actually works out at £8.50 an hour - who can realistically claim that this is too much to pay men and women who risk their lives to save others?

The 'Labour' Party has launched a shameless crusade against trade unionism, and is even considering bringing in legislation to illegalise strike action for the FBU. This is insane! The right to withdraw labour is one of the only things which distinguishes workers from slaves.

Trade unions that are affiliated to the Labour Party should demand an emergency Labour Party Conference. The Labour Party was established by the unions, supported by the unions, and is still funded by the unions. It's about time it was made accountable to the unions.

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