South Yorkshire fire-fighters protest in Barnsley

A mass demonstration by fire-fighters brought parts of the town centre to a standstill on Monday.More than 2,000 fire-fighters from all over the UK, their families and other trade unions marched from Churchfields down to Regent Street where they protested about fire service bosses.They stopped outside the Joint Secretariat building where the Fire Authority, headed by chief fire officer Mark Smitherman, was holding its monthly meeting.They told him what he could do with his offer of £1,500 each to accept new shift proposals and the threat to sack all of South Yorkshire's 744 fire-fighter's and re-issue new contracts with the amended 12 hour day and night shift patterns.One fireman said: "What's the point in anyone signing any contract if bosses can just rip it up whenever they like?"The protest came just days after a resounding 83 per cent 'yes' vote in favour of strike action if the mass sacking plan is not withdrawn.Fire-fighters say Mr Smitherman wants to be the first fire boss in the country to use such a tactic, believe it is a prelude to reduction in night time cover and claim it isn't family friendly.Senior managers say it allows for more training and saves the brigade £4 million per year.He declined to talk to fire-fighters who then proceeded to march around the town centre before stopping in May Day Green where they held a rally and were addressed by other unions and the general secretary of the FBU Matt Wrack.He said: "This demonstration has made people in that building sit up and take notice and realise how serious this is. You have shown the determination of fire-fighters in South Yorkshire and throughout the UK to defend their jobs and conditions."Mr Smitherman keeps going on the telly saying this is a minor change, we have never had it in the fire service before."We are not going to accept it in South Yorkshire and it is about time they realised they are going to have to change direction pretty quickly or they are going to have a strike on their hands."Earlier this year Mr Smitherman had accused members of the FBU of being led by donkeys. An FBU official dressed as an ass led the protest which was supported by by 200 fire fighters from the London fire brigade and FBU members from Devon, Wales, North Yorkshire, Scotland, Lancashire, Lincolnshire, Norfolk and Cheshire.They were applauded by members of the public who said: "We are very much in support of them. We are both retired teachers and know the position they are in. "It is nice to see so many fire-fighters - the banners look fabulous. It is good to see a union at one accord like this, really strong."

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• Barnsley
• Barnsley Chronicle
• fire-fighters
• firemen
• fire
• protest
• trade union
• strike
• FBU
• Mark Smitherman
• South Yorkshire
• Fire authority
• Matt Wrack.

[brendanbutterworth]

920 views says it all

[Audiocodes]

A race to the bottom on wages and conditions. Stand firm.

[GITTUCK77]

@redrain98 Don't be fooled,the job is money for old rope & we earn enough for what we do.

[redrain98]

I was there.......i work for west yorks and support all the lads and lasses of south yorks.....stand strong sisters ans brothers.....

[jen13kd]

Stand strong. Firefighters do a fantastic job. Don't give in to these bully boy tactics!