The well runs dry
 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/m...de/5300740.stm

Finally we have reached breaking point and can no longer support FBU strike action by providing fire cover. Our overstretched forces are of course fighting fires elsewhere. Will this finally make the goverment sit up and take notice? :uhoh:

I see that in the past few minutes they have changed the paragraph...

to...

Pressure on the BBC from non-Army Military personnel, pointing out that all 3 services usually provide cover :confused:

MadMark!!! :mad:

Last time I looked, there were plenty of Harrier mates sitting around doing nothing, or was that the Jag crewroom? ;)

Old News
 

No, that's old news. See here, dated 20 May 06:

Military back-up refused for strike by firefighters

That's perhaps why the BBC took out the clause "which usually covers during industrial action".

Defence Finances
 

You may find an answer in Dundiggin's thread of 20 Aug, re defence finances - which is what manpower comes down to in the end. In a word: bleak.:sad:

AND WHY SHOULD WE?????

Why should some 17 year old squaddie on a pittance of a wage cover for the firemen who only work 6 months a year and get a hell of a lot more than an Army private ??

:mad: :mad: :mad: :mad:

Tombstone, I think you will find the E3-D fleet are available too.

Don't forget to look in the TypHoon crew rooms too.

I agree with R21 - why should we?:D

To elaborate further: I had a Fireman living at the bottom of my street, who easily held down two jobs, because he slept all night on shift. I often wondered how he afforded a new car every year and lived in a massive house, and yet had the gall to strike for more pay.
Some of my chaps who covered the last strike couldn't believe their luck. Sleep through your shift, and get the next day off, whilst we at the MOB struggled on. Good to see the boys let slip this to the press, with the subsequent sympathy vote for the calendar boys hitting an all time low.:O

To answer "why should we", it used to be called MACC - Military Aid to the Civil Community, and is part of the Defence Strategy.

MACC wasn't intended to pull employers out of the fire. It was intended to be used in times of natural disaster, floods etc, or if there was a revolution or evidence of third columnist activity in TTW the local CC could ask for assitance. Getting involved in industrial disputes is not MACC, it is politics.

Dont mind a spot of fresco, however last time i covered the highlands, the wife south wales, so i ended up nearly £300 out of pocket for the privilege!!

I thought the E3D fleet were poised to enjoy the delights of block 101 at Akrotiri in support of the lebanese blockade or something like that!!
:}

The question now is, will this military refusal set a precedent, and what will happen when the next inevitable national strike comes along?:confused:

Surely we won't be able to sit back and let GB burn, no matter how stretched we are?:\

I think you'll find the well ran dry for the green jobs a while back. Otherwise why would they have mobilised so many TA for service sandy-side? TA mate of mine recently spent 6 months in Afg because Hereford had run out of people :confused:

We will turn our 200+ spin doctors loose, so that the public know that the FBU are striking in the face of warnings that they will not be bailed out by the Armed Forces (note, media, that's all of us, not just the Army!). Whilst strikes do have their place in society to draw attention to oppressive or restrictive work practices, when you strike and expect your job to be done by people who are paid less than you for doing an arguably more dangerous job, then you need your legs slapped.

Anybody remember Andy Gilchrist? Wonder if he is still investing huge amounts of his members' finances on extravagant meals?

I think you will find that the Fire Brigades always provided cover for life-threatening fires (they certainly did in my FRESCO area), using it as PR - 'look at us, we are on strike but still save the day!!!!'

Hence the only real risk is to the insurance companies that foot the bill for unoccupied property burning down.

IMHO, public support for firefighters has dropped to such a level that they would be barking to try it again - it is no longer seen as a fight to be paid fairly, it is greed that is putting peoples' lives and property at risk. I believe that most firefighters were so embarrassed over the last farce that it will not happen again for some time, especially if the government sticks to its guns that there is no alternative from the military. It is just such a shame that the FBU officials were permitted to drag down the reputation of a group of people who are prepared to put their lives on the line (albeit very, very infrequently...)

Whoever said that firemen don't work for a living is talking rubbish. I've just had a quote from a local fireman to install new fencing around my property, but he can't start for a month as he has some other contracts to deal with first. And he accepts payment only in cash. Naturally.

Zoom - I do hope you are reporting him to the IR then....? If not, PM me his details and I will.

Not until after he's finished installing my kitchen you won't!