Strike!!!

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Koolvin

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No I'm not a fireman... although to the women I can be <img src="http://www.mbclub.co.uk/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=';)'> My workplace held a strike - I work in the public sector (Higher Education)

I was mobbed by picketrs this morning... the one morning the car park barrier should have been up it was down!

I did not protest in the fire brigade strike action - but I do now, espcially because 3 people lost their lives...

The government could of stopped this.... remember the petrol strike? The goverment interviend, why cant they now? Just give them their payrise, they deserve it!

blair has said (allegedly) that people have a right to strike - don't get me wrong thats true, but I still think hes a good for nothing dumb a55 like all the other MP's
 
I heard that Firefighters are not on too bad money. This is dependant on what I have heard being true - £25-27K when you include Shift allowances and OT.

Working on this not bad £££. However if they have not had rises recently, tuff, nor have I, IT industry sucks at the mo (a few areas of exception only).

The fact they save lives and danger there own, fair enough, but they chose the job. The two are not related in a pay rise argument. You cannot put money to someones life however.

I do not blame the firefighters for striking, but I do blame the government for not having adequate resources to cover.

FFS at least take away the decent fire engines instead of the Green Goddess crap.

Government should offer something reasonable like 10-15% increase this year, same next and at least inflation for next few. If they dont like that, start training new staff.

Like I wouldn't get laughed out the office if I asked for a 40% increase in money ROTFLMAO. He11 that's what contractors are for.
 
I agree with your sentiments.

I think that firemen have a very good deal at the moment. Their shift system allows them to work two days in every eight - when you look at it from that perspective, then the salary they are on is perfectly reasonable.

The 40% that they are after is completely ridiculous unless they completely change the shift structure they work within. The reason why the fire service dont want to change this is because it would mean that they would have to make redundancies as there would be too many staff.

I dunno about you lot, but the more I look into the roles of firemen, the more I think &quot;why didnt I become a fireman?&quot; Lets face it the working conditions are excellent.

This idea that they do a dangerous job is also bandied around as justification to the cause. Well, statistically, they rank only 23rd in the list of dangerous jobs.
 
I don't want to get to political on this one, obviously i work fairly close to them, and they do a good job, (i don't think thats in question), but if they think they are getting a 40% rise, strike or not, then they are living in cloud cookoo land, i just don't believe that any boss, private or public sector will give a raise of that amount.

I'm not sure of their saleries, but there are a lot of new cars at the fire station just up the road from here!! We are not allowed by law so strike, and i think thats right, if your going to join a job in the public sector, then you must accept that the reason why this is provided is that it VITAL to the public that you are serving, IMHO.

In the meantime i think everyone will agree that the army are doing their level best with out dated equipment to provide a reasonable service.
 
I heard Blair say that they &quot;have a right to strike&quot; on radio1 last night.

I think we have learned something in the last day or so...the Army are quite capable of performing the task of the firemen, even with outdated equipment.  Simple answer: Sack all the firemen and get the Army to do it full time, the Gov't can reallocate all the equipment and buildings to the Army, the firemen have the option of joining the Army if they wish to continue doing their jobs.  Now that would work!

The basic pay of a fireman who has just started the job is about what I'm on now, the only difference being I work about 40 hours per week, spend over 12 hours per week driving to work and back, have to pay my own pension (because my company won't) and if I want to have a day off right now I have to arrange for cover and a hand-over!

Actually I think I just talked myself out of my job  <img src="http://www.mbclub.co.uk/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/confused.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt='???'>
 
I agree with a lot of the above, but what really annoys me is that Andy Gilchrist, the Fire Brigades Union general secretary, has made reference to the events of Sept 11 and how brave firemen are. Talk about cashing in on a disaster.

Firemen are just labourers with hoses and ladders, and asking for 40% is a good indication of now clever they are. As for danger, any professional driver is at a higher risk on the roads.
 
I beleive a Fireman is on about 24k a year B4 overtime for about 40 hours per week. that to me is a good wage. Yes they may do a good job but so do loads of other people Street Cleaners, McDonald Workers to name a couple,all this training they do they do during work hours and get paid for it.
I don't think that the 3 emergancy services should be able to go on strike, they know what the jobs entail when they apply and for a fireman over 70 people apply for each current job advertised.
And as for the Army using these 50 year Old Green Goddeses they should be able to use the current Fire Engine stock, they say there not trained up on them but they have just done 16 weeks trainin on these 50 year old contraptions,Why couldn't they of been trained up on the modern day Engines which would help save more lives. If thats not a possability what happens to all the old Fire Engines surely it would be a good idea to keep them in good workin order and use them.
Thats just some of my thoughts on the subject, i've probably missed loads out, But I think they've got a cheek askin for 30k and i think no more that 5% is what they should get.
Watch out for the collection buckets out soon just B4 Xmas for the Fireman and there poor families &nbsp; <img src="http://www.mbclub.co.uk/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/exclamation.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':exla:'>
 
</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (Aletank @ Nov. 15 2002,10:10)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">I beleive a Fireman is on about 24k a year B4 overtime for about 40 hours per week.</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>
oh great so they already earn a LOT more than me! <img src="http://www.mbclub.co.uk/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':('>
 
Watch out for the collection buckets out soon just B4 Xmas for the Fireman and there poor families   <img src="http://www.mbclub.co.uk/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/exclamation.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':exla:'>


Don't forget all the little old ladies taking home made mince pies to the pickets!!
 
Show me a poor fireman !

I used to drive as a minicab driver p/t and we had firemen working their days off. - loads more are p/t painters and decorators etc.
they work a pattern of 2 days &quot;days&quot; then 2 days nights - then 4 days off - where they go and do a bit of moonlighting <img src="http://www.mbclub.co.uk/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':)'>

so they only works 6 months every year - although they do work a std 40 hr week !

Not because they are poor - but because they are bored!
Like Dave said - go and see the new cars outside the fire stations.

As an ex squaddie I feel for the guys who are told they WILL be fighting fires - because they cant strike, they cant even argue that they dont want to do it. Squaddies get jailed for that!  
Its about time the fire service was bought into line with the rest of the essential services. - what really pisses me off is that they walked out of the meeting when they were offered a &quot;measly&quot; 16% - when nurses got less than 3% !

Rant over

Mark
 
</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (Shude @ Nov. 15 2002,10:14)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE"></span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (Aletank @ Nov. 15 2002,10:10)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">I beleive a Fireman is on about 24k a year B4 overtime for about 40 hours per week.</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>
oh great so they already earn a LOT more than me! <img src="http://www.mbclub.co.uk/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':('></td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>
I throught everyone earned a lot more than you &nbsp;<img src="http://www.mbclub.co.uk/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/hehe.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':hehe:'>

<img src="http://www.mbclub.co.uk/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/banana.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':bannana:'> &nbsp;<img src="http://www.mbclub.co.uk/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/banana.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':bannana:'> &nbsp;<img src="http://www.mbclub.co.uk/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/banana.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':bannana:'> &nbsp;<img src="http://www.mbclub.co.uk/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/banana.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':bannana:'> &nbsp;<img src="http://www.mbclub.co.uk/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/banana.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':bannana:'>
 
</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (fuzzer @ Nov. 15 2002,13:34)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">I throught everyone earned a lot more than you  <img src="http://www.mbclub.co.uk/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/hehe.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':hehe:'>

<img src="http://www.mbclub.co.uk/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/banana.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':bannana:'>  <img src="http://www.mbclub.co.uk/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/banana.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':bannana:'>  <img src="http://www.mbclub.co.uk/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/banana.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':bannana:'>  <img src="http://www.mbclub.co.uk/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/banana.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':bannana:'>  <img src="http://www.mbclub.co.uk/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/banana.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':bannana:'></td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>
yeah, I used to think that too, now I know it! <img src="http://www.mbclub.co.uk/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':('>

I just worked out I can borrow about 40k to buy a house. &nbsp;That won't even get me a garage where I live, how am I supposed to move out from my parents place? <img src="http://www.mbclub.co.uk/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':('>
 
</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (Shude @ Nov. 15 2002,14:04)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE"></span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (fuzzer @ Nov. 15 2002,13:34)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">I throught everyone earned a lot more than you  <img src="http://www.mbclub.co.uk/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/hehe.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':hehe:'>

<img src="http://www.mbclub.co.uk/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/banana.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':bannana:'>  <img src="http://www.mbclub.co.uk/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/banana.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':bannana:'>  <img src="http://www.mbclub.co.uk/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/banana.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':bannana:'>  <img src="http://www.mbclub.co.uk/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/banana.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':bannana:'>  <img src="http://www.mbclub.co.uk/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/banana.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':bannana:'></td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>
yeah, I used to think that too, now I know it! <img src="http://www.mbclub.co.uk/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':('>

I just worked out I can borrow about 40k to buy a house.  That won't even get me a garage where I live, how am I supposed to move out from my parents place? <img src="http://www.mbclub.co.uk/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':('></td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>
Yeah, you will end up like me.


House + Wife = No mods for car
 
</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (Shude @ Nov. 15 2002,14:04)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">I just worked out I can borrow about 40k to buy a house.  That won't even get me a garage where I live, how am I supposed to move out from my parents place? <img src="http://www.mbclub.co.uk/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':('></td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>
YOure not thinking about this properly ...


~What are the nursing homes like round about where you live &nbsp;<img src="http://www.mbclub.co.uk/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/hehe.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':hehe:'>

<img src="http://www.mbclub.co.uk/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/banana.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':bannana:'> &nbsp;<img src="http://www.mbclub.co.uk/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/banana.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':bannana:'> &nbsp;<img src="http://www.mbclub.co.uk/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/banana.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':bannana:'>
 
</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (fuzzer @ Nov. 15 2002,15:28)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">YOure not thinking about this properly ...</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>
Yeah, I shouldn't have gone into IT, I should have been a fireman, and fixed pcs or something in my spare time!

P.S. I hope we're not offending any &quot;Dave Elcomes&quot; of the Fire Brigade world, I'm sure most of us would be dead or indeed a pile of smouldering remains were it not for their much appreciated help...

Let's hear it for the firemen (and firewomen I guess, should we make it &quot;firepeople&quot;?)! &nbsp;Good luck with your strike, if I thought striking would help beef up my pay-packet I would be doing it myself. &nbsp;Course if I really did go on strike I would be replaced by one of the 2000-odd unemployed graduates currently looking for positions in IT <img src="http://www.mbclub.co.uk/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':('> .
 
As the firmen outside my work are advsetising :


TOOT IF YOU GIVE A HOOT <img src="http://www.mbclub.co.uk/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/colgate.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':colgate:'>
 

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