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To: maceng2 who wrote (85)	10/17/2002 9:13:59 PM
From: maceng2	Respond to of 1417

Firefighters set to back strikes news.bbc.co.uk The army's green goddess engines are on standy-by Firefighters' leaders are preparing to name the dates for a series of nationwide strikes - the first in 25 years. The Fire Brigades Union says it is expecting a substantial majority of its 50,000 members to vote in favour of industrial action when the result of a ballot is announced later on Friday. Firefighters are demanding a 40% pay rise, which would see salaries for fully qualified staff rise to about £30,000. "I believe the firefighters should not go on strike, as do the public Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott [Prescott.. what a wanker, he is the person putting people in danger.. imo ..pb] Their employer, the Local Government Association, has rejected the demand and is offering a 4% increase as part of an interim deal. The government set up an independent review to come up with proposals for improving the pay and conditions of firefighters. However, it is not scheduled to report until December. The FBU must give seven days notice of any strike action. Army on stand-by The government has already put the army on stand-by to step in if industrial action goes ahead. Strikes could last up to eight days and could have a knock-on affect on tube services in London. Firefighters want a 40% pay rise Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott and local authority employers made last minute pleas today for the FBU to postpone strike action and to wait for the independent review report. Mr Prescott warned that a walkout would put lives in danger. "A national fire strike would be dangerous and damaging," he said. "We will put troops in to provide emergency cover but it will not be a replacement service. "I believe the firefighters should not go on strike, as do the public." Mr Prescott said the union's claim was "fantasy" and repeated Government warnings that it would fuel inflation and push up mortgage payments. But Andy Gilchrist, the FBU's general secretary attacked the government. All the government has to do is start genuine pay talks. It is that simple Andy Gilchrist, FBU "John Prescott's comments are astonishing. He led the rush by cabinet ministers only last year to vote themselves a 40% rise. "We have been placed in an appalling position. All the government has to do is start genuine pay talks. It is that simple." Tax fears Local authority employers said they were "incredulous" that the union was set to call strikes rather than wait for the outcome of the review. The employers said that if the FBU's pay demand was repeated across the public sector, the basic rate of income tax would have to rise by 20%, or 3.9p in the pound. Ted George, chairman of the local authority employers, said the pay claim was "unrealistic, unaffordable, unreasonable and unjustified". Charles Nolda, chief executive of the employer's side, urged the union to hold off from announcing strikes tomorrow. "There is a peace option," he said. "It is foolhardy and irresponsible to risk lives when there is a serious alternative."