How many people are they looking to get rid of? The 9/15 does, on the face of it seem rather odd. How did it come about, whats the thinking behind?
They will sack the entire operational workforce and only employ the ones who want to come back on the new contracts with the new conditions of service.
The 9/15 shift came about after the '77 strike and the introduction of the 4th watch. Prior to then firemen (as they were then) worked a 72 hour week.
The 9/15 shift has, until the last national strike, been worked throughout the UK.
We now work varying shift patterns depending on were in the country you work.
Is it back to the sleeping issue?
If there are no call outs you do get a good nights kip and can go to another job?
Obviously if your on 12 on 12 off and you aren't asleep then yes you do have to waste your first day off sleeping
No. Its about a change in work practice that adversely affects the financial and family lives for no benefit whatsoever to the public.
Wouldn't it be nice to have a "restful" nights sleep at work? I tell you what. I'll sit next to your bed tonight and turn your lights on and sound a siren, then I'd like you to get up, dressed and into your car within 2 minutes, race across town and then work your nuts off in punishing conditions. I'll may do this several times tonight, I may not do it at all.
Sleep well.
I didn't put the stfu icon in by the way!
Sorry I don't subscribe to you stupid political correctness, yes it's you who's stuck in a time warp. For all your bleating and moaning you are in a well paid trade and your even moaing about working 9 hrs of your 1st day off (diddums). I spent 22 years in the RAF Fire service and compared to the job I have now it was a doddle. I work 60 hrs a week for less money than you, but I have an excellent job and I wouldn't think of striking for more money or bertter conditions. Next you/ll be telling me that you have a harder job than the guys in the RAF. I don't think so.
What political correctness? Its just a job title that reflects both men and women work as firefighters, it changes in the days prior to the oppressive PC regime we work in now. Who's moaning about pay? I'm sorry you don't like the fact that I've pointed out that I've already worked 9 hours in my first off day either. The same way you get 3 days off of a weekend, after all, you've only worked a 9 hour day on Friday.
I was in the RAF fire service too, I agree, it was a doddle but not comparable to the job I do now.
I'm pleased you love your job and hours, I really am. But may I again point out that the S.Yorks firefighters aren't striking about more money or getting better conditions.
Is my job harder than RAF firefighters? Well its very different. I admire the skill, courage and tenacity of the guys who work in testing and dangerous conditions in Afghanistan. But I've done the job in the UK and it was very dull, with very few incidents and not testing.
Hmmm I went into work last week to get told that my shifts are changing for the third time in 2 months. I am to all intents and purposes a single parent (as my fella lives away sun night till fri night) and yet I manage to work my childcare around my son and my job. If you cant work shifts cos you have a family to care for then change your job and let someone else who would love your job step up to the table!!
DT_Xtremez_42:
You work for an organisation that gives you no voice. I don't.
I know what I'd prefer.
So someone who's worked for years should just tug their forlock on shuffle off?
Happens all the time. When I got posted from my last job to this, I went from working days to working 12 hour day/night shifts which meant I had childcare issues. I could argue from the local government position and ask who, in this country in this day and age has such working hours? 12 hour shifts will supply much more flexibility.
Really, You have been specifically instructed that you may not repeat a direct quote from Rita Dexter? That is all Firestorm did and it clarifies the problem much better than "it's not fair, I will have childcare issues, I am going on strike' I would be loving that one. Lawyer on standby and prepare to retire not having to worry about shifts any more, I am sure the payout would cover it nicely.
Regardless of all that, the FBU has a duty to make these things known but they are too busy being important. The FBU has a terrible reputation with the rest of the UK, and stuff like this does not help. I have mentioned this in previous threads but it is about the PR and the public facing image. The FBU is rubbish at it, because IMHO they are not living in the same world as most of the rest of us.
I've not been instructed to keep quiet, I'm not a S.Yorks firefighter so this doesn't affect me.
The FBU are making these issues known, in S.Yorks, where the strike is.
The FBU is doing whats its been mandated to do by its members in a democratic vote. Defend their conditions of service.
I for one will be very very fcuking annoyed if the Fire service again go on strike causing members of the armed forces to cover for them again. We are in the middle of recession sack the lot of them there are plenty of people who will be happy of a job and not try to hold the country and its safety to ransom again.
Public support will be very thin on the ground when they see servicemen coming back from putting their lives on the line to do the same again on the streets of the UK doing someone elses job for them.
The sooner they come under the same regulations as us and the police when it comes to strike action the better!
S.Yorks are already striking. No military cover is being provided for this dispute.
Ahh i didnt realise that, what if the same mass strike happens as last time though? I still feel its wrong that people fully trained are allowed to strike and be replaced by a lesser level of service.
How do you feel about reduction in fire cover, closure of stations and removal of fire engines on a permanent basis?
I'm afraid thats happening all over the uk and your council tax still continues to rise.
