Region 'safer' during fire strike

FBU members are angered by the fire chief's comments

Public safety improved while firefighters were on strike, Merseyside's chief fire officer has said in an e-mail.

The leaked message from Tony McGurk said the strike cover team fitted more smoke alarms and carried out more risk assessments than normal.

"Ironically, it could be argued that public safety has improved," said the e-mail to fire authority members.

The Fire Brigades Union repeated its call to bring in national negotiators.

A spokesman for Merseyside Fire and Rescue Authority said Mr McGurk's comments had to be put into context.

Nobody involved in Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service is 'enjoying' strike action Fire authority spokesman

"Obviously he is not saying that having 70% cover is preferable to having 100% cover," the spokesman added.

But Fire Brigades Union (FBU) branch chair Mark Dunne said: "The general public is now seeing what we have had to deal with in the last two and a half years - Mr McGurk seems to be enjoying having his firefighters on strike.

"We have the support of the Liberal Democrats and Labour Party to bring national negotiators to end this dispute."

But a spokesman for the fire authority said: "Nobody involved in Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service is 'enjoying' strike action.

"Certainly not the many staff and management who have been on duty for six days and nights providing highly professional comprehensive fire cover for the people of Merseyside."

Budget deficit

The FBU has announced a further strike from 12 to 20 September after talks to resolve the dispute collapsed.

About 1,000 FBU members walked out last Thursday for four days over 140 alleged job cuts in the brigade.

A second four-day stoppage, which started two hours after the first one finished, is due to end on Friday.

The fire authority called the decision outrageous.

"We will shortly be announcing our actual proposals for dealing with our £3.5m budget deficit which will go before the full fire authority on the 19 September.