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London firefighters taking ’terrible step’ of striking

23 October 2010 16:04 (UTC +04:00)

Baku â€“ APA. While the London Fire Brigade will be responding to 999 calls, officials have admitted that fire engines may not be sent out to non life threatening incidents such as rubbish fires, large animal rescues and flooding during the eight-hour strike period, Metro reported.

The brigade’s contingency arrangements will see up to 27 fire appliances being placed strategically across the capital in case of emergencies.

FBU general secretary Matt Wrack admitted that the strike was a ’terrible step’ but that firefighters feel they have been left with no choice.

’They are taking the action because, on August 11th, the London Fire Brigade formally began the legal process of terminating the employment contracts of 5,600 London firefighters. If they had not started that process, we would not be going on strike. If the dismissals are lifted now, the strike will be called off straight away,’ he told the Press Association.

Mr Wrack added that firefighters ’hate’ going on strike, but hate ’being bullied even more’.

If the dispute is not resolved, today’s industrial action will be followed by another eight-hour strike on November 1st.