Having been locked-out without pay overnight by fire chiefs, Essex firefighters have commenced their second day of short strikes.
Alan Chinn-Shaw, essex fbu secretary said: “Yesterday’s short strike was solid and the vibrant picket lines showed the determination of frontline professionals to oppose the biggest wave of cuts to frontline fire and rescue services in Essex history.
“These strikes were and still are avoidable. We urge the fire authority to get back round the negotiating table and reconsider their rejection of the FBU’s compromise proposals that still meet all the financial savings and productivity targets they wanted for the emergency fire control.”
This comes after firefighters urged the public and businesses to take extra care overnight due to the Met Office weather warning of strong winds and heavy rain expected to hit Essex.
Keith Handscomb, executive council member for the FBU in Essex, said: “Fire chiefs will be crossing their fingers with less than a quarter of the usual number of frontline fire crews being available to respond to 999 emergencies in Essex as a result of their unnecessary lock-out.”
The lock out includes all the professional, specialist rescue teams normally in Essex.
