Menu
27/01/2003
Fire strike to begin tomorrow morning
Firefighters are to press ahead with their plan to strike for 48 hours from Tuesday morning as part of their long running pay dispute.
The announcement today by leaders of the Fire Brigades Union was made after several days of talks with local conciliatory agency Acas and the National Fire Service Employers failed to produce any agreement.
The stoppage, which will begin at 9am tomorrow, will be the fourth strike held by firefighters across the UK in just over two months.
It has also been confirmed another 48 hour stoppage, scheduled for this Saturday, February 1, will also now take place.
Local fire authority employers and the government are still pushing a review of the service by Sir George Bain as the basis of any settlement. However the FBU believes accepting the employers' proposals will cost 4,500 jobs and shut 150 fire stations.
Jim Barbour, Northern Ireland’s FBU representative who attended today’s last minute crunch talks in London, said “absolutely nothing new” was brought to the table.
“Our national employers have made it clear that any rise above 4% would be linked to reductions in staff and services across the board,” Mr Barbour said.
The FBU wants a 40% rise to boost firefighters' annual salaries from £21,500 to £30,000. But employers have stood firm on a 4% pay offer, rising to 11% over two years.
However Mr Barbour said the offer of 11% over the next two years was “spin” and would mean little in terms of real advances in the levels of pay for full or part time fire fighters.
Mr Barbour also said that last July and November, the FBU had struck a deal with Acas but that it became unglued due to government interference and their insistence of any pay rise being linked to a commitment to the Bain proposals.
“We are absolutely disgusted with the antics of the Blair government,” he said.
“It has now become a political dispute, with the Blair government hoping our strikes will keep war with Iraq off the front pages.
“We don’t want to strike. But we have to take a stand and firefighters across Northern Ireland will strike tomorrow, as will other men and women across the UK. Its just not about pay anymore, its about every single condition of our first class service being under threat.”
(AMcE)
The announcement today by leaders of the Fire Brigades Union was made after several days of talks with local conciliatory agency Acas and the National Fire Service Employers failed to produce any agreement.
The stoppage, which will begin at 9am tomorrow, will be the fourth strike held by firefighters across the UK in just over two months.
It has also been confirmed another 48 hour stoppage, scheduled for this Saturday, February 1, will also now take place.
Local fire authority employers and the government are still pushing a review of the service by Sir George Bain as the basis of any settlement. However the FBU believes accepting the employers' proposals will cost 4,500 jobs and shut 150 fire stations.
Jim Barbour, Northern Ireland’s FBU representative who attended today’s last minute crunch talks in London, said “absolutely nothing new” was brought to the table.
“Our national employers have made it clear that any rise above 4% would be linked to reductions in staff and services across the board,” Mr Barbour said.
The FBU wants a 40% rise to boost firefighters' annual salaries from £21,500 to £30,000. But employers have stood firm on a 4% pay offer, rising to 11% over two years.
However Mr Barbour said the offer of 11% over the next two years was “spin” and would mean little in terms of real advances in the levels of pay for full or part time fire fighters.
Mr Barbour also said that last July and November, the FBU had struck a deal with Acas but that it became unglued due to government interference and their insistence of any pay rise being linked to a commitment to the Bain proposals.
“We are absolutely disgusted with the antics of the Blair government,” he said.
“It has now become a political dispute, with the Blair government hoping our strikes will keep war with Iraq off the front pages.
“We don’t want to strike. But we have to take a stand and firefighters across Northern Ireland will strike tomorrow, as will other men and women across the UK. Its just not about pay anymore, its about every single condition of our first class service being under threat.”
(AMcE)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
06 January 2023
Further Strike Dates Announced For Rathlin Island Ferry Workers
Unite the union has called on the Department for Infrastructure to intervene and ensure workers on the ferry service between Ballycastle and Rathlin Island receive a cost of living pay increase and avoid further disruption to residents and economy of Northern Ireland's largest island.
Further Strike Dates Announced For Rathlin Island Ferry Workers
Unite the union has called on the Department for Infrastructure to intervene and ensure workers on the ferry service between Ballycastle and Rathlin Island receive a cost of living pay increase and avoid further disruption to residents and economy of Northern Ireland's largest island.
21 April 2022
Translink Strike Action Deferred Following New Pay Offer
The upcoming Translink strike action has been deferred following the proposal of a new pay offer.
Translink Strike Action Deferred Following New Pay Offer
The upcoming Translink strike action has been deferred following the proposal of a new pay offer.
24 October 2002
Fire Brigades Union delegation meets NIO Minister
Fire Brigades Union (FBU) representatives have met NIO Minister Des Browne today to discuss the upcoming firefighters' strike which is set to start next week. The union met with Mr Browne to push the case for a 40% pay increase for full-time firefighters which would see their salaries rise to £30,000 per annum.
Fire Brigades Union delegation meets NIO Minister
Fire Brigades Union (FBU) representatives have met NIO Minister Des Browne today to discuss the upcoming firefighters' strike which is set to start next week. The union met with Mr Browne to push the case for a 40% pay increase for full-time firefighters which would see their salaries rise to £30,000 per annum.
10 September 2002
MLA's call for new firefighters pay scheme
Two UUP MLA's have called on the Northern Ireland Executive to implement a new pay scheme for Ulster's firefighters. North Antrim UUP MLA the Rev Robert Coulter called for the introduction of a new pay formula in a motion to the Assembly on Monday. Mr Coulter said he hoped it would help achieve a real remedy to the question of firefighter’s pay.
MLA's call for new firefighters pay scheme
Two UUP MLA's have called on the Northern Ireland Executive to implement a new pay scheme for Ulster's firefighters. North Antrim UUP MLA the Rev Robert Coulter called for the introduction of a new pay formula in a motion to the Assembly on Monday. Mr Coulter said he hoped it would help achieve a real remedy to the question of firefighter’s pay.
18 October 2002
NI firefighters balloted over strike action
UPDATE: Firefighters across the UK have voted in favour of holding strike action in the next stage of their dispute over pay. The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) members voted to begin their industrial action on October 29 - the first firefighter's strike in Britain for 25 years.
NI firefighters balloted over strike action
UPDATE: Firefighters across the UK have voted in favour of holding strike action in the next stage of their dispute over pay. The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) members voted to begin their industrial action on October 29 - the first firefighter's strike in Britain for 25 years.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
