Firefighters face a 'fight to save jobs'

Dec 4 2002 By Elgan Hearn, Bangor And Anglesey Mail

FIREFIGHTERS on the island believe that the government's hidden agenda came to the fore during their eight-day stoppage which ended on Saturday.

The Fire Brigades Union want a 40 per cent pay raise, while government calls for modernisation have revealed that many jobs would be lost.

The firefighters were joined on the picket lines last Friday by island Assembly Member and leader of Plaid Cymru, Ieuan Wyn Jones.

He said: "It is immoral for the Government to put people lives at risk as they have done in the last few days.

"Tony Blair's posturing has sickened many who remember Margaret Thatcher doing the same thing with the miners.

"It's hard to see how money for a realistic pay award cannot be found, while more than £1billion has been earmarked for a war with Iraq.

"The firefighters have been showing for several years that they are willing to embrace sensible proposals for modernisation. It's now time for the government to listen," added Mr Jones.

Supportfrom the public remains strong, while the Holyhead firefighters believe that some quarters of the media have criticised them.

Sub-officer David Williams, said: "The support isstillstrong. We all know now that modernisation will be a fight to save jobs.

"I watched Question Time on Thursday night, and FBU union leader Andy Gilchrist, came across as a sensible moderate man, not as a Stalinist or fascist as he has been described."

The eight day strike due to start today was called off on Monday afternoon for exploratory talks involving the conciliation service ACAS.