New Labour Wrecks Firefighters’ Pay Deal

FIRE BRIGADES union members are balloting again for industrial action after
negotiations on the brink of settlement were wrecked by the direct
intervention of the government.

On 2 August, talks to finalise a deal which would mean the payment of the
two outstanding pay instalments, were packed with New Labour councillors from
London. These local councillors had never previously attended any meetings
about the fire service, they were there solely to vote the deal down.

This follows over a year of negotiations, which had latterly turned on the
introduction of a new disciplinary and grievance procedure and the question of
what duties firefighters could be expected to perform at night and on bank
holidays.

As part of their all-out attack on the public sector, the government
clearly want to make an example of the firefighters and impose their draconian
cost-cutting ‘modernisation’ proposals in every area. As well as a vigorous
campaign for a ‘yes’ vote for action, the FBU must link their campaign with
the other public-sector unions.

Jim Barbour, a member of the FBU executive from Northern Ireland told the
socialist: "There’s clearly been a campaign by New Labour minister Nick
Raynsford to destroy the FBU. We’ve had a year of harassment and
vindictiveness. Now the members are very angry, so I’m confident in a
substantial ‘yes’ vote. If Raynsford wants industrial strife in the fire
service then that’s what he’ll get."