Greens speak out against "shoddy" plans to sack 5,500 London firefighters
Commenting on plans to ask Members at Thursday's meeting to terminate existing contracts in order to re-employ 5,500 fire fighters under new conditions, Green London Assembly Member Darren Johnson said:
"We are so very close to an amicable resolution on shift patterns it would be ridiculous to impose a settlement on firefighters by sacking and re-employing them.
The FBU voted to accept the recommendations from the independent panel on shift patterns and I am confident that sensible negotiations could iron out the final sticking points.
It would be really shoddy industrial relations to impose a settlement when we are so close to an agreement."
The Authority was also going to ask its members to vote on controversial plans to remove their right to table formal questions tothe Chair.
Darren Johnson commented:
"Prior to the last Fire Authority Meeting Conservative Chairman, Brian Coleman, rang me up and threatened to abolish Members' Questions at meetings altogether if I went ahead with a question about injuries sustained by picketing firefighters during the recent dispute. His autocratic behaviour is just incredible."
Brian Coleman has now decided to reconsider.
Darren Johnson added:
"Brian Coleman has made himself look completely ridiculous by issuing such draconion proposals and then being forced to backtrack.
Backbench representatives being able to ask questions of those in power is a basic of any democratic system.
I still find it worrying that the chair is wanting are view of Members Questions, but I hope that it will include his failure to provide adequate answers and allow discussion.
I find it shocking that fire-fighters can be injured on picket lines in two seperate incidents and yet there has been no investigation of the behaviour of the contractors who caused these injuires."