www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-24762990

These commies and loonies never miss an opportunity, do they ?

This is a particularly cynical and hateful aspect of the unions especially those in the NHS and the Fire service when they potentially put lives at risk through their actions. No better than the IRA when they used to blame the Government for 'forcing them' to plant bombs and shoot people.

Perhaps you would ask for only non-union fireman as the ITK Palazzo burns down.

I get tired of the arguments about public sector working........for me, the public sector are not too special. The 'boss' just happens to be Govnmt or Council. In my job, the boss is a bloke with a better title, and the big boss is his boss who is closer to the governing board.........only, my terms and conditions are dictated from the board and passed down.....like it, thumbs up, lump it, move on.......

For me, the public sector is the same as for any job. Firemen do a geat job , well trained, but its vocational in terms of applying and wanting to do the job. It still stands, that if you don't like the terms and conditions, and you can't NEGOTIATE a better deal, leave or move on if you are not happy. Don't hold the public to ransom and threaten strike all the time. This goes for teachers and nurses as well.......we love you all....but you are not so special to be able to dictate what you will and won't accept in life.........For educated people, it sometimes seems they are quite unintelligent in the way they try to make their points.

Nothing last forever, the GOvernment funds to pay you are not bottomless and in times of shortfalls, there will be saving made. There are boom times where you also get higher than average pay rises and also holiday and pension benefits. Wise up will ya

They made big changes,retirement age was raised,pensions reduced etc.
Is it fair to ask these people to constantly risk their lives saving grumpy Derbyshire OAPs,then pay them less to do so?

Fair? Necessary? Its all about choices and decisions. If the budget isn't there, condition changes can keep employment higher rather than paying the same or more, and then sacking lots.

I guess the union, the public sector worker and a social leaning politician wants both............and an accountant wants to pay less but be fully staffed

Mr Reason wrote:
The 'boss' just happens to be Govnmt or Council.

In other words .... US - the tax payers !

hedda wrote:
Perhaps you would ask for only non-union fireman as the ITK Palazzo burns down.

Not needed, Hedda ... I've told you before, we have a (rapidly rising !) stream at the bottom of the garden (and a very good pump !).

Is Australia still burning?
Want to borrow some water?

Pattaya wrote:
They made big changes,retirement age was raised,pensions reduced etc.

Given that they retire TEN YEARS EARLIER than us mere mortals - and therefor get a whopping 10 years EXTRA PENSION - I think in the current climate they should make a sacrifice along with everyone else.

In The Know wrote:
Pattaya wrote:
They made big changes,retirement age was raised,pensions reduced etc.

Given that they retire TEN YEARS EARLIER than us mere mortals - and therefor get a whopping 10 years EXTRA PENSION - I think in the current climate they should make a sacrifice along with everyone else.

There is a very good reason for the early retirement,maintaining their level of fitness into their 60s to do the job is not easy.If they fail this they can be sacked.
If we ask public employees to do a dangerous job,they can at least expect to be looked after.I haven't seen this much anger since the late 70s strike.

The fact remains that they can get another job (fire safety office at local Tesco?) for another 10 years AND keep their pension.

If you don't like the job, don't apply to do it !

In The Know wrote:
The fact remains that they can get another job (fire safety office at local Tesco?) for another 10 years AND keep their pension.

If you don't like the job, don't apply to do it !

If they move job their pension pots will be lessened.I for one appreciate the hard job they do,and don't happen to think the rewards are too high for the risks they take on our behalf.

They applied for the job as it was,not the revamped version rich Cameron has forced them into.

Recently a friend of mine,a highly qualified fireman left the job,and moved to work at the Channel tunnel.He got a hefty pay increase,as the fire service had lopped off £7,000pa from his salary.All that training has gone to waste,all the cash we invested in his training gone.False economy is not real economy,there are plenty of public sector cuts we could make,but these will cost more in the long run than they save,and cause lots of ill will into the bargain.

In The Know wrote:
hedda wrote:
Perhaps you would ask for only non-union fireman as the ITK Palazzo burns down.

Not needed, Hedda ... I've told you before, we have a (rapidly rising !) stream at the bottom of the garden (and a very good pump !).

Is Australia still burning?
Want to borrow some water?

let's hope you drown in it then.

hedda wrote:
let's hope you drown in it then.

Oh, you naughty man !

But, I supposed constantly "losing" does make you bitter and twisted LOL !

Pattaya wrote:
I for one appreciate the hard job they do,and don't happen to think the rewards are too high for the risks they take on our behalf.

The president of the Chief Fire Officers Association has described the actions of striking firefighters who walked away from a major blaze in east London as "shameful".

Paul Fuller on Saturday urged them to "reflect" on their behaviour and the impact of their actions on their relations with the public.

news.sky.com/story/1162751/dagenham-blaz...rike-row-over-recall

They don't do anything "on our behalf", Pattaya ... they are simply looking after themselves.

Our bonfire is going ahead despite having no firemen, lashing rain, and strong winds. We are a hardy bunch up here!

In The Know wrote:
Pattaya wrote:
I for one appreciate the hard job they do,and don't happen to think the rewards are too high for the risks they take on our behalf.

The president of the Chief Fire Officers Association has described the actions of striking firefighters who walked away from a major blaze in east London as "shameful".

Paul Fuller on Saturday urged them to "reflect" on their behaviour and the impact of their actions on their relations with the public.

news.sky.com/story/1162751/dagenham-blaz...rike-row-over-recall

They don't do anything "on our behalf", Pattaya ... they are simply looking after themselves.

metro.co.uk/2008/11/10/firefighter-deaths-on-increase-121774/

A one sided article from the Murdoch gutter press.
A firefighter has every right to strike,especially if their terms and conditions are messed with.If skilled fire professionals keep leaving as my friend did then who of any quality will be left to put out future fires?

Fireman risk their lives daily all over the UK,the only peaceful organisation to do this.As seen here when you push people too far you risk loosing their support.
I have a lot of friends in the fire service,have been to fund raisers etc,I know the mood of the men,it's an avoidable disaster waiting to happen.

Pattaya wrote:
I have a lot of friends in the fire service


Patt - you have a lot of friends!

Mostly, those with a connection to topics on here......

"They don't do anything "on our behalf", Pattaya ... they are simply looking after themselves."

Tory principals that surely are to be admired.

Ben 7 wrote:
Pattaya wrote:
I have a lot of friends in the fire service


Patt - you have a lot of friends!

Mostly, those with a connection to topics on here......




Quite Rice Uncle Ben

I get around,Thailand & Qatar on business next week.You'll only have ITK to insult during that time.Let's hope he doesn't go on his hols again at the same time,you'd be very lonely,just you and your badger!