Firefighters’ London protest over shifts

London firefighters were set to protest on Thursday of this week over plans to force them to change their shifts.

The FBU union members are to lobby the meeting of the London fire authority, which is expected to say firefighters should work 12-hour shifts.

The union says that the employers are even considering sacking every firefighter in London in order to tear up their contracts and re-employ them on the new shifts.

Joe MacVeigh, the union’s regional secretary, said, “We are nearing crunch time. It’s time to start increasing the pressure.

“We are urging all off-duty firefighters to attend.”

The union says 12-hour shifts would pave the way for dangerous cuts to night time fire cover—as well as disrupt workers’ family lives.

It cites a leaked secret document which reveals how the shift changes could mean fewer fire engines available at night.

Some 98 percent of FBU members voted against the plans in a consultative ballot.

Protest from 12.30 on 24 June at London Fire Brigade headquarters, Union Street, SE1. The FBU union is asking firefighters to come in uniform and bring whistles to make some noise