Brighton and Hove fire crews to work instead of strike

Brighton and Hove firefighters will work tomorrow evening (Saturday 19 October) after the planned national strike was called off.

The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) said that it was postponing the strike after a last-minute shift in the stated position of the government and employers.

The FBU said that its members had effectively been given a guarantee that their jobs and pensions were safe.

East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service had arranged cover to ensure that 999 calls could be answered.

Matt Wrack, the union’s general secretary, said: “FBU members want firm guarantees and not just fine words.

“We have given government the opportunity to progress this matter seriously.

“The Fire Minister has said that the proposal from the employers removes the threat of ‘no job, no.

“Firefighters will have serious concerns about this claim and will want cast-iron guarantees that this will be addressed properly.

“The FBU has temporarily postponed the planned strike to enable these guarantees to be firmed up.

“However, there are a number of important and unresolved elements of our dispute and we need to be clear that we may have to resort to further strike action.”