Gloucestershire firefighters are fighting back against changes to their working hours forced through by the county council.
The changes voted through on 4 December would see shifts changed from 9-hour days and 15-hour nights to 11-hour days and 13-hour nights for wholetime community fire stations.
The Fire Brigades Union has argued that the new shifts will likely disproportionately affect caregivers, with many facing leaving the service due to being unable to afford increased childcare costs to cover longer shifts.
Members met on 12 February to discuss their next steps in the campaign.
Kate Yhnell, FBU Gloucestershire brigade organiser, said:
Instead of following in the footsteps of neighbouring brigades offering more family-friendly policies, Gloucestershire employers are choosing to penalise those with caring responsibilities.
It is unjust and firefighters are not willing to accept this decision. We are ready to fight this until the plans are withdrawn.”
