Firefighters today walked out on their frontline duties in a row over pay and conditions. More than 5 500 were on London's streets to fight for their rights. This is the biggest strike ever held by London firefighters. They're campaigning against a forced change to their working hours. They say they're being forced to accept new working conditions or they'll be sacked.
They've left the UK capital without their services for 8 hours.
A firefighter Luisa said: “Initially we talked about the shift changes. this is the main change bad. But the problem that we have is that if we allow them to force these changes that we don't agree, we don't know what other changes they will force we agree in the future”.
What’s the matter?
Employers sent letters to more than 5000 London firefighters in August. They warned them about the increase in daily duty hours from 9 to 12 while reducing the night shift from 15 to 12 hours. Fire-fighters worry that these changes will lead to a decline in their salaries, disrupt their families and cuts in fire cover as well.
This is the first time n London when 5 600 fire-workers don't work at all. About 100 fire stations are closed. Today they don't fight against fire but they fight for their rights.
If firefighters don't sign up to the new contracts they will be simply dismissed. But the London fire Brigade claims that they are ready to negotiate.
Brian Coleman, London Fire and Emergency Authority Chairman, stated:
“Our message is simple - call off the strike now and we will resolve this dispute”.
What do they want?
The fire union, for its part, is also open to discuss the issues but under one condition.
Matt Wrack, FBU General Secretary, says:
“Brian Coleman has said he is quite relaxed about sacking 5 600 firefighters. I think this an appalling statement for the leader of fire authority to make. We want to resolve this dispute but t could be resolve obviously don't sack 5600 firefighters and we will not be strike”.
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