11.04.1996

Merseyside: all out on May Day

Firefighters on Merseyside are to continue their series of strikes with a further four 24-hour stoppages. The strikes have been part of a series protesting over 20 job cuts and reductions in leave that date back to August 1995. The latest strikes have been called by the FBU after the Merseyside Brigade Committee rejected the latest proposals from the employers. The new offer included ‘options’ that would break national agreements on sick pay.

Currently firefighters receive 12 months’ sick pay in recognition of the high risks in the job. The Merseyside employers want to break the national agreement and cut sick pay to six months. This is no wild card but is linked to Home Office plans for both the fire brigades and police. Chief Fire Officer Best from Merseyside has been involved in raising this issue at a national level.

The FBU will also ballot on two-hour strikes every day to run alongside the 24-hour stoppages. The ballot on further strike action and the 24-hour strikes will form a backdrop to the May 2 local elections. Peter Dowd, the Labour chair of the Authority, who is now paid full time for the post, will be challenged in his ward by a Militant Labour candidate.

The dockers are calling for Merseyside wide strikes on May 1 and the FBU will be considering their call for strike action. It is rumoured that if the Merseyside strikes develop the SLP will switch its launch to Merseyside to coincide with the action.

FBU members on Merseyside are in for a marathon after eight months of strikes. Their dispute continues to have national relevance to the fire service and beyond. Maximum support for the dockers’ strike call and the Merseyside FBU should be a priority for all activists. Left candidates from ML, the SLP and the local ‘Ward Labour’ candidates need maximum support from those on strike. The bigger their vote, the better for the Merseyside FBU.

Chris Jones