Why firefighters have to strike

[Guest davelfc]

See, this is exactly the type of bullshit statement that makes decent people cringe. Everyone knows they're too busy watching porn and wanking to be playing indoor ball games.

 

That's a terrible thing to say, most of these brave men hold down a few extra jobs as well and are too busy with them to be watching porn.

[chrisked]

And the probability of say, accidents, isn't? That doesn't stop doctors/nurses/paramedics working 12 hour shifts.

 

Are you a firefighter, LF? Why are they so strongly opposed to working shorter night shifts?

 

They have to get up early to start their second job?

Lots of firemen by me have two jobs, and a lot of them dont declare it either to the tax man!!!

[lifetime fan]

Errrrm.........yeh.

 

It's fire fighters fault there is no back up system in place?

[She Knows It]

They have to get up early to start their second job?

Lots of firemen by me have two jobs, and a lot of them dont declare it either to the tax man!!!

 

Joking aside, I don't want to tar them all with the same brush. I only know one fireman personally, and he has his own painting and decorating business, and is always going on about how cushy he's got it.

 

I wouldn't mind, but they look fuck all like an Athena poster in real life, either.

[Liverpool lad]

People fucking hate anyone getting anything, so what if a few of them might do the doors and don't declare it

[She Knows It]

People fucking hate anyone getting anything, so what if a few of them might do the doors and don't declare it

 

I think that's a bit over the top, Mark. It's not that at all, I just think people have got no patience with people complaining about how overworked they are when they've got the time and energy to hold down a separate, second full-time job.

 

My best mate is a nurse. She's always moaning about her working conditions, and has a right to. She's often the only qualified nurse on her ward, and the rest are healthcare assistants. She works 13 hour shifts, of which 1 hour is supposed to be her break, which she rarely gets a chance to take. On the flip side, she works 3 shifts a week and gets 4 days off and with her 46(!) days a year holiday entitlement, means that she could theoretically work a 3-day week for 8 months, and then take 4 month's paid holiday. On top of that, she gets a fucking good pension. What I'm trying to say is that you take the rough with the smooth. Everyone can bitch about the negative aspects to their job, but there are always people who'd give their eye teeth to have their 'shit'.

[lifetime fan]

And the probability of say, accidents, isn't? That doesn't stop doctors/nurses/paramedics working 12 hour shifts.

 

Are you a firefighter, LF? Why are they so strongly opposed to working shorter night shifts?

 

I wouldn't know the probablity of accidents and the effect on nurses, quacks, paramedics etc.

 

I do however know a very large majority of fires occur on the night shift.

 

It costs the tax payer nothing extra depending on the staffing rota, short days, long nights V 12 hour shifts.

[Magic Sponge]

 

It's fire fighters fault there is no back up system in place?

 

Its there own fault for putting the publics lives at risk on Bonfire night.

 

Nobody else's.

[lifetime fan]

They have to get up early to start their second job? Lots of firemen by me have two jobs, and a lot of them dont declare it either to the tax man!!!

 

I do plenty of overtime to support my family, I need to.

 

Firemen are prevented from doing so.

 

Any cash in hand jobs I do for a mate who's a builder I say fuck all to the tax man.

 

Whats your point?!

[lifetime fan]

Its there own fault for putting the publics lives at risk on Bonfire night.

 

Nobody else's.

 

It was a shite decision by their union leaders as it will cost them deserved support.

 

Why is it their fault the country only has green goddesses?

 

Please do explain that one.

[chrisked]

People fucking hate anyone getting anything, so what if a few of them might do the doors and don't declare it

 

I don't have a problem with it. Just pointing it out.

A lot of people do something for a bit of cash, it's just when they have almost another full time job and complain about being a fireman!

I know quite a few, and they are all mostly really nice guys, however a few are driven more by their other job. Also if for instance they are painters who do it for cash, then it stops a decorator form getting the work who may rely on it for his /her main income.

I think it needs to be better for everyone.

[chrisked]

I do plenty of overtime to support my family, I need to.

 

Firemen are prevented from doing so.

 

Any cash in hand jobs I do for a mate who's a builder I say fuck all to the tax man.

 

Whats your point?!

 

I don't give two hoots about you not telling the tax man if you need to earn extra. It's normal way of life. Is your main job as well paid as a fireman though?

It's when they run a second business I don't think it's fair. They should declare then as it's preventing someone who is trying to make a living from getting the work. 'Hobbles' are a lot of the time helping people out and little jobs which wouldn't be done if the customer had to pay full price for them.

[lifetime fan]

I don't give two hoots about you not telling the tax man if you need to earn extra. It's normal way of life. Is your main job as well paid as a fireman though? It's when they run a second business I don't think it's fair. They should declare then as it's preventing someone who is trying to make a living from getting the work. 'Hobbles' are a lot of the time helping people out and little jobs which wouldn't be done if the customer had to pay full price for them.

 

No, I don't risk my life every single day I go into work. Thats why.

 

Second business?

 

You have no problem with me doing extra over time and foreigners on the side to provide for my family but a fireman should be punished as hes prevented from doing over time.

[Cardie]

Maybe if they declared to the taxman all the extra earnings their wouldn't be a need to change the shift patterns to save money?

[dennis tooth]

And maybe if Vodaphone were made to pay their tax bill we'd be able to pay them what they are worth.

[Johnni]

And maybe if people did'nt play with matches we would'nt need the Fire Brigade.

[dennis tooth]

It's the firemans' fault everyone wants to play with fires for one night of the year?

 

I suppose the ensuing global warming will be their fault as well.

[Section_31]

I have some sympathy with the firefighters, but their decision to go on strike on 5th November is going to lose them a lot of support from the public.

 

Agreed. A bit like the police going on strike during a riot, or the army going on strike when an invasion force is crossing the channel, it's basically a gun to the head really. The busiest night for fires bar none, about as bad a PR I've seen since Toys R Us invited Garry Glitter to open their Oldham store.

[cosmo]

No, I don't risk my life every single day I go into work. Thats why.

 

Second business?

 

You have no problem with me doing extra over time and foreigners on the side to provide for my family but a fireman should be punished as hes prevented from doing over time.

 

Neither do firemen.

[dennis tooth]

I think thats the point though. Otherwise no one would notice that much or care enough to recognise the good job they do. It's their right to strike where and when they want, hard won rights. If people want to light fires then that's up to them at their own risk innit, lets face it who want to go and get shit off kids trying to put out fires for reduced terms?

 

If only a few others had the decency to stand up for themselves. I hope the police also begin strike action and the NHS.

[Paulie Dangerously]

Firemen are one of the closest things we have to heroes in this horrible and cynical world we live in. They should be treated with respect by all, that includes their employers, governments and the general public.

 

If they think that these changes are going to endanger lives (in the case of making the night shifts well less staffed) we should all be concerned. When you're burning in your house and there's no-one to come and help then turn round and say they should've just accepted the changes

[Section_31]

Firemen are one of the closest things we have to heroes in this horrible and cynical world we live in. They should be treated with respect by all, that includes their employers, governments and the general public.

 

If they think that these changes are going to endanger lives (in the case of making the night shifts well less staffed) we should all be concerned. When you're burning in your house and there's no-one to come and help then turn round and say they should've just accepted the changes

 

I don't think anyone would disagree with that, but the issue is the day they've picked to down tools. Afterall, it won't be management or Government officials having catherine wheels shoved up their arse on bonfire night, it'll be some council estate pensioner.

 

People could conceivably die because of this, so that's my sympathy for their cause going right down the plughole.

[Paulie Dangerously]

I don't think anyone would disagree with that, but the issue is the day they've picked to down tools. Afterall, it won't be management or Government officials having catherine wheels shoved up their arse on bonfire night, it'll be some council estate pensioner.

 

People could conceivably die because of this, so that's my sympathy for their cause going right down the plughole.

 

Bommie night is the busiest night for the fireservice and has clearly been chosen to try and force the managements hand due to a public outcry. How many lives could be lost in the long run if (as feared) there will be reduced numbers on shifts at night? I know it's not a "death numbers" game but if the Fire Unions believe that this will be the case in my opinion the deaths of people would be on the managements hands, not the grass roots firemen

[Guest TesticleOReilly]

Bommie night is the busiest night for the fireservice and has clearly been chosen to try and force the managements hand due to a public outcry. How many lives could be lost in the long run if (as feared) there will be reduced numbers on shifts at night? I know it's not a "death numbers" game but if the Fire Unions believe that this will be the case in my opinion the deaths of people would be on the managements hands, not the grass roots firemen

 

That's all right, then. So long as one side gives in to blackmail everything'll be cushty.

[Section_31]

Bommie night is the busiest night for the fireservice and has clearly been chosen to try and force the managements hand due to a public outcry. How many lives could be lost in the long run if (as feared) there will be reduced numbers on shifts at night? I know it's not a "death numbers" game but if the Fire Unions believe that this will be the case in my opinion the deaths of people would be on the managements hands, not the grass roots firemen

 

Totally disagree. They've chosen the busiest night of the year to hold people to ransom. It's their choice to strike when they do.