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[spongy2] 27/11/2002 05:32

Presumably the IR know how much these characters earn, I suggest that all of those with second or third jobs be sacked IMMEDIATELY, and forced to re-apply for their jobs when they can legally state that the FB is to be their only employer and they can comply with their contract.
Same applies to those firemen earning over the tax free allowance in sharedealing,lol.

[goodcall] 26/11/2002 23:52

I saw a few squadies on the TV complaining how boring it all was,
"all we seem to do is play pool and watch TV"
and as max says there are only 19,000 of them covering 55,000 Firestrikers!
I agree with max you've been found out, GB won't give into you lot never mind president Blair... life will never be the same for you bunch of layabouts again!! LOL

[maxheadroom] 26/11/2002 22:07

Indeed Boonyed I'm sure you can carry on for months yet. Unfortunately for you though the country isn't missing your input.
My son is actually one of the 19,000 covering for your 55,000 – doing nights 12 on 12 off. They must be rushed off their feet you'd think wouldn't you? Well, not exactly. So far, in the five nights he's worked, they've had one shout for a minor fire which the owner of the vehicle dealt with himself – you lot are not really that busy are you?
Trouble is that being HMForces, unlike you, they don't have beds to kip in at night.

Face it my friend – your skiving life has been introduced to the public and you've been found out! Maybe you should accept the 4% and keep your second jobs?

[boonyed] 26/11/2002 20:24

Very astute of you Al, yes most of us do have second incomes, for instance I have just fitted replacement windows in an ex council owned property for a lady who won £300k on the bingo.I got the windows knocked up for £3k charged her £6k, paid a couple of the blokes on the Watch and still cleared £2k for a weekends work.
Spent today burning pallets in a brazier, which were kindly donated by a local haulier, and ate egg and bacon sandwiches donated by the local cafe, tommorrow I plan to do the same, but I might take in a little fruit as too much fried food is bad for your figure.
We can carry this on for as long as President Tone wants us to.

BRING IT ON TONE.

BOON

[hyper al] 26/11/2002 07:55

The trouble is many of these fire fighters could stand around on the picket line during their normal shift for a very long time as most have a second income to support them.

I think the PM hit it on the head, why should fire fighters get any more than hospital staff? Which they already do!

[plainz] 26/11/2002 02:41

Go and work firefighters.

Admit your actually overpaid for skills and training compared to some other public service sectors.

What other job can you hold another FULL time job and sleep 2 days out of 4?

This stike encourages me towards the profession. Overpaid, under-risked(compared to trades), and millitant.

[jaxaxe] 26/11/2002 01:29

Bradwell,
I know that you usally log on first thing every morning after you finish your night shift on the Argos conveyor-so I felt that I ought to wish you a very good morning and hope the day goes wonderfully for you.
your good friend J.levi.

[bouncer] 26/11/2002 01:01

How can they expect support and respect from the public?

They are prepared to stand idly by while or homes and our places of employment are burned to the ground.

Just so they can get a few quid.

[haystack] 25/11/2002 23:49

I see that the rolling poll on Sky news which started out with over 50% in support of thr Fire Brigade is now 44% in favour and 56% against and getting further against the strike all the time.

[rrrutbuster] 25/11/2002 22:56

Face up to it, you have lost.

Do not put anymore lives at risk, get back to work.

[brainclamp] 25/11/2002 22:37

How long are you going to strike for now then Boony and Sparky?
Are you going to strike over xmas? We can see the Army with its ropey Green Godesses and inexperianced 18K pa troops are providing better cover than your 1970's style service.

[jaxaxe] 25/11/2002 21:30

Sparky,Boneyhead,Bradwell,
let me offer my heartfelt condolances at the sad demise of the fbu.I appreciate that its a particularly sad time for you in that your lives will never be the same again.No more joyus evenings watching the 8 ball gliding over the green baize of the pool table...the end of the camaradrie of the station whist drive and bingo sessions.......as Im writing the tears are welling in my eyes.
Its all so desperately sad for you - lets hope that the ensuing new year brings with it those wonderful new exciting work practises that Mr Blair has in mind.
A preposterous new year to you.
jax levi.

[jaxaxe] 25/11/2002 21:30

Sparky,Boneyhead,Bradwell,
let me offer my heartfelt condolances at the sad demise of the fbu.I appreciate that its a particularly sad time for you in that your lives will never be the same again.No more joyus evenings watching the 8 ball gliding over the green baize of the pool table...the end of the camaradrie of the station whist drive and bingo sessions.......as Im writing the tears are wellig in my eyes.
Its all so desperately sad for you - lets hope that the ensuing new year brings with it those wonderful new exciting work practises that Mr Blair has in mind.
A preposterous new year to you.
jax levi.

[whitie2] 25/11/2002 20:29

If the Bilar is the man he would have his followers believe then surely he can handle a few striking firemen-----------can he?

[brainclamp] 25/11/2002 20:24

The pension is worth a fortune... if a low growth envrioment lasts as long as Warren Buffet says it will, then, in comparision to any other worker retiring on 3% annuity with 15% contributions (about £3k pa, maybe less because Brown has raided their funds) enjoying 8 years of retirement before they die, a fireman will have 20 years of lifetime retirement at 22k each year. Just imagine it and your future! You will be working for them via taxes!

We are in a low/-ve growth enviroment, where capital goods and projects are declining and deflation is apparent, but consumer inflation in terms of housing, services and non-manufactored goods seem to be increasing.
We thus face rising interest rates, and increasing job cuts are forecast over a 2 year horizon.

In reaction to this, Browns plan seems to be to borrow to expand the public sector to keep unemployment low. (Tax and spend).

It a recipe for disaster in IMO.

Without reforms so public sector workers are on a level playing field with private sector workers - anyone left woking in the private sector will face increasing burdens and a harder and harder time.

The 70's - Huge public sector, Company Tax - 70%, Higher rate of 90%, average inflation running at 9%. Stikes and more stikes, the same country that produced engineering masterpieces and innovations like the Spitfire or Jet Engine couldn't even produce a decent car.

Where were we before all that? The 60's - low inflation, low unemployment, low interest rates.

[jaxaxe] 25/11/2002 16:51

I really cant believe the gullibility of the members of the fbu-their lack of perspescacity beggers belief-they played right into the governments hands by allowing Gilchrist to be their union rep.Members of management were voicing their concerns as soon as he tended for election...the gormless oaf telegraphed every move...and every move was reported to government-giving them ample time to outwit and thwart any possible advantage the fbu might have had.
If the rank and file dont wake up soon and ditch him then they deserve the dole queue!

[maximus verendus] 25/11/2002 16:45

braindamp

You're correct they've had preference treatment for far too long, next year they should be limited to 0%.
Another thing, who paid for the massive deficiency in their pension fund ?? earlier this year, its pretty obvious that the firemen are not contributing enough to keep their scheme afloat.
Either they increase their contributions to 25% of salary or a massive reduction in their over-generous retirement benefits is in order, just like every other pension fund.

[brainclamp] 25/11/2002 16:23

Well I see it a bit differently - Gilchrist has driven the government to mixed messages about the pay deal - 16% from 2 Jags, and 4% from Blair and Brown.
The FBU have got 4% with no changes in working practices - a 1/10th of what they wanted but still a significant increase without changes.

They have 4% and a possiblity to go it again next year, and get another 4%.

They still keep the unsackable, no work culture and retire at 55 as millionares in real terms in comparison to the rest of us thanks to thier pension.

Thier wages outstrip skilled workers in many fields (Engineering for example). They have lost 9-10 'working' days - (this strike taking in 2 weekends of course) and get to go back and 'Struggle' on over 22K plus fiddle work.
Thier 2nd career, plus preferential morgage terms thanks to thier unsackable job leading many of them to have large property portfolios.

I ask you - how have they lost and what have they lost??

A continuation of the status quo and an increase of 4% with no strings.

Sounds like the other unions couls do with a bit of that to me......

[dobcroft] 25/11/2002 16:17

I would even hazard a guess that The Gov would even be able to make significant savings if the whole workforce was to be sacked 'unfairly', and then reinstated on new contracts. Any payments for unfair dismissal would be unlikely to be much more than £10k.

Not very nice, and I'm not saying that I approve, but it happens quite frequently in the private sector.

[whitie2] 25/11/2002 16:13

why is it so tough to give the boys a pay rise when those in governmnet do it for themsleves almost every year.

I think those who oppose this raise should look at just how much we are paying those to destroy our democracy

[jaxaxe] 25/11/2002 16:01

Contracts of employment for a proposed newer fire service are already in the hands of the government,they were drafted up almost three months ago:If the strikers carry on with their intransigent stance then sackings will be forthcoming and the contracts will be handed to the waiting list of recruits.
The retainers and ex armed forces coupled with senior management will spearhead the new fire service!

[custardpie] 25/11/2002 14:41

The green godesses in our area haven,t turned a wheel in the last 3 days ,except to a couple of hoax calls .So that tells you how busy the brigade are.They would have had 3 days of doing naff all except in the gym watching telly and sleping. Risking there lives every day Eh .well i supose falling out of bed is dangerous.......

[jaxaxe] 25/11/2002 14:41

I have just returned from visiting my local fire station after giving the firemen yet more chesnuts(they really do appreciate them).The resolve there is desolving at a rapid rate.The faces of the men were etched with despair as they spoke of the realisation that they had been used as pawns in Gilchrists egotistical power game.Many of the firemen were ready to resume working again.
One of the men(Fast Eddie)a leading fire officer voiced his disappointment at the fbu leadership-and added that he felt hed been conned!
J. levi.