Firefighters strike over job cuts

Trained management and office staff are covering emergencies

More than 1,000 firefighters across Merseyside have begun a strike in a protest over planned job cuts.

Members of the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) in the county walked out at 1000 BST on Thursday for four days.

Merseyside Fire Authority has denied union claims that it has deliberately provoked the strike action.

A second four-day stoppage will start two hours after the first one ends. The union has accused the fire authority of planning to cut 120 posts.

Residents have reduced cover during the strike from the brigade's trained management and office staff, who have all previously worked as firefighters.

The community's fire safety will be provided by the most highly trained staff Tony McGuirk Chief Fire Officer at Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service

The British Army has been unable to help out due to military commitments.

Tony McGuirk, Chief Fire Officer in Merseyside, said: "It is around 70% of our normal compliment of staff, but it is the most comprehensive fire cover we have been able to provide during industrial action.

"While not decrying the fantastic efforts of the armed services and their green goddesses in previous FBU strikes, this time the community's fire safety will be provided by the most highly trained staff using the most up-to-date modern fire equipment and fire engines."

Merseyside Fire Service said it is staffing at least 22 out of 26 community fire stations, with more than 170 uniform staffed providing operational cover.

The FBU has accused the fire authority of planning to cut one in 10 of the workforce, 15 emergency control operator posts and introduce a new shift system.

Mr McGuirk says that the proposed job cuts are down to a shortfall in government money.

There are not enough soldiers available to provide strike cover

He stressed that there would be no compulsory redundancies and that firefighters will be able to earn more.

"We've made a range of proposals - and I think that's an important second fact, we have not concluded consultation on these proposals, so we've yet to even firm up these proposals, and we're facing the strike action," Mr McGuirk said.

The FBU General Secretary Matt Wrack has accused Merseyside Fire Authority of provoking today's action as part of a "union-busting" strategy.

He said that the union was "committed" to talks, but claimed the fire authority was "not prepared" to negotiate.

A spokesman for Merseyside Fire Service said the union's claims were untrue.

He said: "We remain open to talks and we want to resolve this dispute as soon as possible."