Link to this page: http://www.socialistparty.org.uk/issue/634/10065
From The Socialist newspaper, 4 August 2010
Fighting fire service cuts
Wales
Thirty local residents and trade unionists attended the Socialist Party's public meeting in Penarth, south Wales which was called about 15 jobs threatened from three fire stations as part of the misnamed 'risk reduction plan'.
Katrine Williams, president of Cardiff trades council and Socialist Party member, explained that the cuts were not inevitable and an effective campaign could be mounted to oppose the cuts.
Local firefighters outlined the extent to which the proposals would impact on the community and the firefighters' personal lives, with the proposed introduction of 96-hour shifts.
The normally quiet seaside town of Penarth is outraged by the announcement that 18 jobs could go. In less than one week Socialist Party members collected over 500 signatures opposing the cuts and sold over 120 copies of The Socialist.
At the meeting there was an enthusiastic response to the setting up of a local fire service support group, supporting the FBU's fight to save jobs and services.
There were suggestions to immediately lobby both local councillors and councillors on South Wales fire authority as the first steps in the community's opposition to the proposed cuts. For further info contact Rob on 07541 145108
Rob Owen
Warwickshire
Over 200 firefighters and people from towns in Warwickshire gathered outside Warwickshire County Council's meeting on 22 July to protest at their plans to close three local fire stations.
The Tory run council had previously wanted to close seven stations and on the day they reduced their closure programme to three which shows that vigorous campaigning, as seen across this county, can have an effect.
But firefighters are still angry. In common with people in Warwickshire they see the council as endangering people. Mark Rattray, brigade secretary of the FBU said that David "Cameron promised he wouldn't cut frontline services, but what's more frontline than firefighters and fire engines?"
The decision was preceded by a political farce. Three local Tory MPs said they were against cuts, yet their Tory council voted for them - but not all Tory councillors did!
So fire stations in Warwick, Studley and Brinklow are set for closure.
The FBU will now move to ballot for industrial action to continue their opposition to closures and a council risking the lives of both the public and firefighters. The campaign across Warwickshire must continue.
Dave Griffiths
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In The Socialist 4 August 2010:
We need 'biggest movement since poll tax'
Anti-cuts campaign
'Radical' cuts require serious action
Waltham Forest's Labour council faces opposition
Coventry campaigners fight cuts of £140 million
Swansea trades council leads battle for services
Campaigners answer Bristol's 'Big Conversation'
Cuts news: Mental health services facing the axe
War and occupation
Afghanistan: US strategy in disarray
Accademies
Oppose divisive academies policy
Workplace news and analysis
Talks resume at British Airways
Angry workers strike over pay freeze and bosses' bonuses
Witch-hunted Unison activist wins tribunal
Workplace Debate
Unite general secretary election
Youth fight for jobs
We won't be a lost generation, fight for jobs and education!
No to privatisation of our universities
For real jobs, not slave labour
Environment and socialism
Profiting from wrecking the environment
Tamil Solidarity
Daily Mail admits guilt over smearing Tamil hunger striker
Socialist Party LGBT
Socialist Party events
Socialism 2010 - a weekend of discussion and debate
International socialist news and analysis
Love Parade catastrophe was entirely preventable
Garment workers demand a living wage
Socialist Party news and analysis
Tories put profits before patients
Rich just carry on getting richer
Review & Comment
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