27 Oct 2010

London firefighter strike talks break down

Talks aimed at averting a Bonfire Night strike by London firefighters, agreed during a debate on Channel 4 News, have broken down without agreement.

London firefighter strike talks break down

Members of the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) are due to walk out for two days from 5 November in a row over new contracts.

Talks between union leaders and the London Fire Authority officials broke down earlier.

The discussions followed a joint interview on Channel 4 News on Tuesday evening during which union and fire authority leaders said they were prepared to negotiate.

Speaking from the negotiations earlier reporter Emily Reuben explained that the TV interivew had featured in today’s attempts to get a resolution.

She said: “‘Well Jon Snow did it didn’t he’ – those were the first words from one official to me today.

“But that was this morning when hopes were high that the meeting would do something towards ending this dispute. I have now heard from the union that the talks have broken down without resolution.”

A union spokesman complained that fire authority chairman Brian Coleman and chief fire officer Ron Dobson did not attend the talks.

“Regrettably, the brigade representatives in attendance had nothing new to say to us.”

He added: “Our message is that we will cancel all planned strikes if the brigade agrees to lift the mass sackings. We can then negotiate a fair settlement as equal parties.”

‘Well Jon Snow did it didn’t he?’ Those were the first words from one official to me today. Emily Reuben

In response Mr Coleman said: “The compromise of an 11 hour day and 13 hour night shift is achievable through talks, and the FBU have today walked away.

“Our message is simple – call off the strikes now and meet us on 5 November at the Resolution Advisory Panel which has the ability to resolve this dispute.”

Bonfire Night

If the strike goes ahead, there will be 27 trucks, with trained firefighters, provided by AssetCo on 5 November – compared to the usual supply of 169 for Bonfire Night.

In an emergency statement to MPs, the Fire Minister Bob Neill condemned the strike – which would also coincide with the Hindu Diwali festival.

He said: “The prospect of industrial action over the Bonfire Night period is disgraceful…Such behaviour is reckless and cynical and it is no credit to the Fire Service.”

He said he was “shocked” at what he claimed was “intimidation and bullying” of the temporary replacement firefighters during an eight hour strike in London last Saturday.

The Prime Minister’s spokeswoman said David Cameron did not think it was “responsible” and backed Mr Neill’s verdict that the strike was “reckless and cynical”.

A spokeswoman for the London Fire Authority told Channel 4 News that Bonfire Night was one of its busiest periods, but she stressed that there would be cover from AssetCo this year if the strikes go ahead.

Shift changes

The firefighters are striking in protest against plans to change the start and finish times of duty for its frontline firefighters – by reducing the current 15 hour night shift to 13 hours, and increasing the 9 hour day shift to 11 hours. Discussions have been ongoing about these changes for five years.

Similar changes have already been accepted by firefighters across the country. Some of the negotiations, such as in the West Midlands, included strike action.

The union in London is claiming that the firefighters face dismissal if they do not agree to the new shift patterns. It says the firefighters received letters on 11 August saying their contracts would be void in 90 days’ time and they would have to re-apply for their jobs under the new shift patterns, or face dismissal.