Health & Safety at Work?
Since that last national fire service strike, some 25 years ago, the Health and Safety at Work regulations, that cover all workers, has altered dramatically.
As I understand it, a worker in ANY industry, is entitled to walk out if he has due cause to believe that his health & safety at work is being compromised. His employer cannot discipline him for this.
So, after reading all the above posts, does this mean that, say baggage handlers at a major airport, have less than optimum fire cover?
e.g. the Airport Fire Service is using all its resourses to rescue the passengers & crew from a B747, that has run into the terminal building. Presumably, it would usually be up to the local authority's fire brigade (that will be on strike) to rescue all the passengers & workers (including those baggage handlers) from the terminal.
Secondary striking in the UK, was mostly banned a decade ago. However it does seem possible that any workers, who are sympathetic to the Firefighters, could walk out, using the excuse of Health & Safety at Work.