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The Firefighters' Dispute: Fanning the Flames?

Are There Divisions Amongst Firefighters?

All strike action was called off during the war on Iraq. FBU leaders believed that to strike in these circumstances would be a public relations (PR) disaster, when UK armed forces are in combat overseas. The public relies on emergency cover from the army during firefighters' strikes. Hardline FBU members, though, urged continued industrial action, saying the Iraq crisis is irrelevant, as many army personnel will be involved there for many months to come.

But there are already divisions within firefighting staff: 60% of fire engines are crewed by members of the Retained Firefighters Union (RFU). The RFU was formed in 1976 in response to a national strike that lasted nine weeks. Arguing that no other emergency service permits strike action, these firefighters joined together to form a union with a no-strike constitution. Retained firefighters are basically part time firefighters, they are likely to have other jobs and live locally. They are 'on-call' and respond to situations quickly - invariably leaving their 'normal' jobs and heading for the fire station.

The Bain Report proposed that retained and full-time firefighters should be treated equally: paid the same hourly rate and enjoy the same medical and training standards. "The relationship...... must be modernised to remove the implication of a separate second-class (of firefighter)."

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