Firefighters to strike on Nov 5th

London firefighters will be on strike on Bonfire Night, they have announced
12 April 2012

Thousands of London firefighters are to strike on Bonfire Night in an escalating row over new contracts.

The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) said thousands of its members will walk out from 10am on November 5 to 9am on November 7, covering one of the fire service's busiest periods.

The news followed an eight-hour stoppage on Saturday and plans for another eight-hour strike next Monday, November 1, with the union claiming that firefighters were being threatened with the sack if they didn't agree to new shift patterns.

FBU general secretary Matt Wrack said: "We do not want to take this action but we have no choice. The alternative is to allow London's firefighters to become doormats for their employers to walk on.

"The long-term safety of Londoners depends on a well-trained, self-confident firefighting force. The chairman of the London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority, Brian Coleman, issues calculated insults and says he's relaxed and sacking all of them.

"He and the Commissioner, Ron Dobson, want to run the London Fire Brigade as though it were a Victorian mill. They want a frightened and obedient firefighting force. We simply cannot accept that.

"There's still nearly two weeks for the London Fire Brigade to get this right. Show a little respect for your firefighters. Meet their representatives and hammer out a compromise with us, instead of trying to get your way by bullying."

Fire authority chairman Brian Coleman said: "What sort of union orders its firefighters to go on strike over Bonfire Night?

"The emergency fire cover did what we expected it to do the first day, and will do so again."

London Fire Commissioner, Ron Dobson added: "It is very disappointing that even before the first strike dates have taken place we are facing new threats."

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