Pilgrim

DJKQ I'm not sure but believe the conditions where about the standbys! At the moment ff's go from home station to where ever they are being sent, after the shift they go back to home station and leave kit etc there and go home! New proposals ate that they go and go home from standby without going to home station, that means they have to take their kit home then onto standby then home then back to home station on their next shift. If you have seen the kit they have to use you would see this is not practical nor safe. As this is happening more and more because of the reduction in cover then in effect you will have ff's travelling round without a home station. That is one of the fears at the moment. If I am wrong then I am sure someone will tell me.

The shift patterns wont change ability to do second job, They have permission to do second job! What is wrong with that anyway? Other public sector workers have second jobs! Some firefighters second jobs are with Territorial Army, and they are currently serving in Afganistan, So that is wrong? Please get back to the real issue. It is not about shift changes, money, second jobs, It is about section 188. Remove that and the strikes do not go ahead. FBU have offered three different shift patterns one of which will extend daytime. The LFB have refused to discuss these patterns. Why all this outcry about what they do in their days off? What is wrong with it? It in no way alters their ablility to do the job of being a firefighter! The LFB would like to have firefighters employed on day shifts only and remove cover for the nightshifts and outsourcing to private companies ie Assetco, Which will mean 30% or more of Staions will be closed at night.

As far as I know there is a strike on the 1st for 8 hours. Then 5th for 47 hours. I know no more than you or Loz but I would be quite willing to go and talk to FF's at local staion to ask why? Would you? You might get an incite as to the why's and wherefore's of this dispute, it might even change your cynical mind. As I am not privvy to the FBU's directive I cant say why that date. I would have thought to show that the LFB and Assetco crews cannot cope. I am certain that FF crews will not allow a major incident go uncovered, they broke strike and went out on Saturday! These are dedicated people trying to save their jobs and your fire service. Goodnight!

Unfortunately these are the only guys that still have a voice when it comes to standing up to protect their jobs & working conditions, something Nurses & Police Officers are unable to do !!!!!!!! Sometimes the public think those in these services have got it all good, well, if only they looked deeper, they'd see that actually it ain't all sweet & rosy and that they all go above and beyond what is expected without any additional pay or recognition for doing the job they love even if this means impinging on their own work/life balance!!! It is their democratic right to take action to protect there jobs. Some one earlier asked why are they any different than trains drivers etc. I think that by the fact that they put their lives on the line when they go to work makes them a special case and deserve our respect. Some of you are making it sound like they are heartless selfish bastards!! Shame on you! I dont like strikes, but I respect someones right to do so. If the LFB are to be believed on the 1st Nov and the 5th Nov you are all safe because they have got it covered! You are slating the FF's because you know that isnt true so why wouldnt you support them in getting the threat of the sack removed thereby removing the strike action. As for the 5th being the most dangerous night and peoples lives at risk, 99.9% of deaths on that night are from fireworks and not fires, firemen do not put out fireworks.

Pearson for goodness sake, what would you expect them to do? They are damned if they do and damned if they don't. I suspect you are playing devil's advocate? I cannot believe you are that cynical in "real life" Have you noticed how a news blackout on the facts seems to be the order of the day? Dobsons spin on things are not accurate but I suspect you wouldn't believe the FF's either so no further on are we?

KalamityKel Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > ...? Scabs as in unqualified firefighters are trying to break strike!

you had better hope if you have a fire!! do you not realise whats going on?

Scabs using firefighter appliance floating around Forest Hill.

Apparently the Brigade have formally rejected the 24hour system favoured by FF's, Ticks all the boxes concerning overtime and change over patterns. Not given reason for rejection. Have given 11/13 and some minor concessions, committee will discuss later today.