(posted 7860 days ago)The Times
October 18, 2002Firefighters announce 36 national strike days
By PA newsFirefighters will stage a series of strikes amounting to 36 days starting on Tuesday October 29, after 87 per cent voted in favour of action over pay, their union announced today.
The Fire Brigades Union said that its members would strike for 48 hours from October 29 and from November 2 and would carry out four eight-day strikes in November and December.
Nick Raynsford, the Fire Service Minister, described the decision as "wretched and wrong."
Andy Gilchrist, FBU General Secretary, said the vote reflected the strength of feeling his members had towards their pay dispute. Firefighters are arguing for a near-40 per cent pay rise to £30,000.
"Not one… took the decision to vote yes in this ballot lightly. Every single one of them knows only too well the risks involved in withdrawing their labour from an emergency service," he added.
The union decided not to call a strike on Bonfire Night and Mr Gilchrist stressed that the dispute was not with the public.
“We will therefore ensure public safety is guaranteed for November 5 and the Christmas period.
"We want to see an end to professional firefighters working a 48 hour shift and then instead of going home to their families, going on to another place of employment to get enough money to make ends meet."
The union said the eight day strikes would begin on November 6, November 22, December 4 and December 16.
"It is still not too late for this dispute to be resolved," he said, inviting the Government to resolve the dispute in the next ten days.
London Underground has said that it would have to close 19 stations because they have deep lifts and no escalators, on health and safety grounds.
The stations are: Belsize Park, Borough, Caledonian Road, Covent Garden, Edgware Road (Bakerloo Line), Elephant & Castle, Gloucester Road, Goodge Street, Hampstead, Holland Park, Kennington, Lambeth North, Lancaster Gate, Mornington Crescent, Queensway, Regent's Park, Russell Square, Tufnell Park and Wapping.
The strike dates and times in full (all start and finish at 9am):
48 hours
Tuesday, October 29 to Thursday, October 31
Saturday, November 2 to Monday, November 48 days
Wednesday, November 6 to Thursday, November 14
Friday, November 22 to Saturday, November 30
Wednesday, December 4 to Thursday, December 12
Monday, December 16 to Tuesday, December 24