No Cash for Firefighters (From Stroud News and Journal)

No Cash for Firefighters

FIREFIGHTERS have suffered a backlash against their proposed strike action, which could begin as early as Friday, October 25. The county councillor responsible for the fire service has said it would be impossible to fund a massive pay rise for workers across the county. Cllr Jeremy Hilton, cabinet member for community services, said the extra wages proposed by the Fire Brigades Union would cripple county council accounts. A 40 per cent salary increase for Gloucestershire firefighters would cost £3.2 million and could not be met by the council's budget, he said. Cllr Hilton said: "We just don't have that kind of money. "It's a huge increase.

"We're happy to negotiate with the union, but we can't pay firefighters that much."

Employers have offered an interim four per cent pay rise while an independent inquiry into the value of the service is carried out. This would take effect from the beginning of November.

But the Fire Brigades Union have refused to co-operate.

Mr Hilton suggested that if a large national pay increase is agreed, the extra should be funded by the Government.

Clive Webb, 60, an electrician from Nailsworth, contacted the SNJ after firefighters spoke out in last week's issue.

He said: "Maybe firefighters do deserve more money but I don't think I, as a taxpayer, should have to fund them.

"I don't get £21,000 a year and I don't know anyone who does. "There are a lot of people who feel the same."

Mr Webb thought firefighters were in part rewarded by their job conditions. He said: "When they're on shift they can sleep on site.

"Their retirement age is young and they get big fat pensions.

"I think we should get the Green Goddesses out and see how well we cope without them."

The union will announce the results of its strike ballot on Friday.

Indefinite industrial action could begin the following