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A threat by firefighters to strike on Bonfire Night has been branded "reckless" by the government.
Speaking in the Commons this afternoon, communities and local government minister Bob Neill said any walk out on November 5 would put Londoners at risk
"I find the threat of industrial action over the Bonfire Night period disgraceful, made worse by the fact that in this most diverse of cities it is also Diwali," he told MPs.
"When Londoners will be trying to enjoy those events I'm sorry that it seems the FBU will be working to actively maximise the risk to them."
He added: "such behaviour is reckless and cynical and does no credit to the fire service, a service which has great traditions.
Members of the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) have threatened to walk out over a dispute over new contracts.
Neill was responding to an urgent question in the Commons tabled by Jim Fitzpatrik, a former Labour minister and member of the FBU who said that he hoped ministers and Boris Johnson were working to facilitate and agreement.
"The House should remember, however, that the firefighters' loved ones are in as much danger as the rest of the community when these strikes take place.
Shadow communities minister Chris Williamson said Labour did not support the proposed strike.
"Our position is absolutely clear; Bonfire Night is one of the busiest periods of the year for the fire service.
"A strike by fire service on Bonfire Night would potentially put the public at risk.”
He added: "It isn’t supported by the public; it doesn’t have our support either.
But Labour MP Jeremy Corbyn said firefighters who had "kept the city safe for so long" were justifiably angry that they were being asked to accept a new contract without negotiation.
Article Comments
I fully support the actions of the FBU in taking strike action to bring the employers back to the negotiating table.
It should not be the case that any employer can ride rough-shod over their workers, threatening them with sacking if they do not agree to Dickensian shift changes.
Why should the fact that it is bonfire night have any effect on whether the firefighters go on strike or not? Bonfires are lit by the public; it is up to them to either not light fires, or light them in a safe and sensible place!
Why do we still celebrate this event every year anyway? The ritual burning of efigies to remember the execution of a terrorist hundreds of years ago strikes me as rather odd in this day and age!
Robin
26th Oct 2010 at 9:39 pm
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