FBU demo, London, ‘We can’t retire later!’ 16.10.13, photo J. Beishon (Click to enlarge: opens in new window)
National firefighters’ demo: ‘We save people, not banks’
Thousands of firefighters marched from Malet Street to a rally in Westminster Central Hall, London, on Wednesday 16 October, in protest at attacks on their pensions.
Outside Downing Street, FBU demo, 16.10.13, photo by Ian Pattison (Click to enlarge: opens in new window)
On Whitehall the marchers resisted a police cordon to keep them away from Downing Street and instead massed outside the Downing Street gates.
Massing outside the gates of Downing Street, 16.10.13, photo Mick Cotter (Click to enlarge: opens in new window)
Despite torrential rain on the march hundreds of damp firefighters and their supporters attended the indoor post-demo rally. Speakers included MP John McDonnell, NUT general secretary Christine Blower and David from the CCOO firefighters’ union in Spain.
FBU demo, 16.10.13, London, photo Judy Beishon (Click to enlarge: opens in new window)
Firefighters have been to the forefront of resisting the brutal austerity in Spain and their struggle has clearly influenced the FBU here in Britain.
The slogan from the day’s march: ‘We save people, not banks’ was taken from the Spanish firefighters.
This was their response when they were called out to assist the eviction of an elderly woman from her home.
POA general secretary Steve Gillan was given one of the biggest applauses of the rally when he said: “We need to name the day for a general strike”.
Christine Blower also received a big round of applause when she said teachers might well be out on strike with the firefighters at some stage in the future.
FBU demo, London 16.10.13, photo by Ian Pattison (Click to enlarge: opens in new window)
FBU general secretary Matt Wrack paid tribute to his members for turning out in great numbers despite the long distances many had to travel. He revealed that the FBU executive had been contacted by government ministers on Friday requesting talks with the FBU this week.
FBU demo, London 16.10.13, photo Ian Pattison (Click to enlarge: opens in new window)
Matt attributed this sudden willingness to talk, after two and a half years of silence from the government, to the union’s determined policy of industrial action, particularly the upcoming five-hour strike on Saturday.
