15.02.1996

Firefighters to resist cuts

Firefighters in Scotland are on the brink of taking strike action against the threat of massive cuts in funding. The fear is that any more cuts will pose a threat to lives, both to the firefighters themselves and the public.

For example, Tayside is understaffed by 40 firefighters and a freeze in recruitment is being proposed. On top of this there is talk of a 50% reduction in training when in recent years we have seen the deaths of several firefighters.

A Tayside Fire Brigades Union mass meeting in Dundee on Friday February 16 will hear a call for strike action. It is likely that any ballot would initially involve Grampian, Tayside and Highlands and Islands, but it could well spread to other areas. Dave Patton, a member of the Scottish executive of the FBU, declared:

“Unless the Tories give more money to the fire service, we will see strikes ... We are not saying these things to frighten the public, we are saying them to warn the public ... We want this message to go to Michael Forsyth loud and clear. No more cuts and no more funerals. We need more money for the fire service.”

Nick Clarke