Firefighters back victimised FBU union activist Ricky Matthews

Firefighters in Essex have pledged to donate £500 every month for the next three months to victimised worker Ricky Matthews.

Ricky was sacked by Buckinghamshire fire bosses after taking part in a four-day walkout over attacks on firefighters’ pensions earlier this month.

A national meeting of brigade officials took place on Friday of last week.

FBU general secretary Matt Wrack told the meeting that Buckinghamshire fire boss Mark Jones “thought he was taking on 300 firefighters. Now he’s taking on 40,000.”

Many have demanded strikes to defend Ricky.