'We will fight tooth and nail'

The fire dispute has been running since last year

Hereford firefighter Nigel Stroud says he and his colleagues are exasperated at the progress - or lack of it - in the continuing fire dispute. Here in his diary he tells of their determination to fight on.

15 May 2003

Here we go again! The Iraq crisis is, if not over, then old news, and the industrial dispute "cease-fire" is now definitely off.

The last few months have given us a little respite from the vicious political mauling and financial hardships we've had to endure, but in all honesty it's done nothing to raise morale.

Most firefighters involved with this dispute are now utterly fed up with the situation.

With so much at stake, we feel nothing but exasperation when we witness the developments to date

But having said that, the large majority it seems - myself included - are still 100% behind the FBU and its campaign, although the issues have changed a little bit.

The £30,000 pay claim was never really credible or realistic, and I think most people would be happy with the present pay offer as it stands.

But the ever increasing demands the government and local authorities are pressurising us with are entirely unreasonable, short-sighted and dangerous.

These we will fight tooth and nail.

'Over by Christmas?'

Modernisation we support; cutbacks and economies - as well as putting firefighters' jobs at risk (full-time and especially retained) - will ultimately put people's safety in jeopardy.

Soldiers operating green goddesses stepped in during the strikes

With so much at stake, we feel nothing but exasperation when we witness the developments to date.

A golden opportunity arose during a stand-off period when Frank Burchill, the chairman of the National Joint Council, made a proposal that might form a basis of a settlement.

The FBU and executive council were willing to work with this.

The government's answer? The formulation of a Bill to impose a settlement that would be worse than one previously offered.

They seem to want to antagonise the situation time and time again by moving the goal posts all the time.

This can only result in deep resentment that will last for years to come. That is something which does not make for a healthy working environment in the future.

And to top it all, good old Prescott has shown how cheap and petty he can be.

He has decided to withhold the presentation of the Queen's Golden Jubilee medal to the Fire Service. A little thing maybe, but how on earth is it that going to help matters ?

Oh well, best foot forward and all that. It will all be over by Christmas, for better or worse. Mind you, I seem to recall saying that last year!