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Merseyside Firefighter in Trouble for Smiling 'Aggressively'

Joe Hill | 10.11.2006 11:43 | Workers' Movements | Liverpool

Following the partial defeat of their cuts agenda this summer, Merseyside Fire Authority is trying to get its own back, and weaken the morale of victorious firefighters. Letters have been served to fourteen emergency crew members, calling them to hearings over incidents during the walkout.

After four weeks of strike action this September, Merseyside FBU succeeded in saving essential services from 3.5 million of cuts demanded by the government. Instead, the cuts were moved away from the frontline.

Now fourteen firefighters are being lined-up for disciplinary hearings over seemingly trivial 'offences'. One incident involves claims that one fire officer was allegedly "smiling too aggressively".

Last night, Merseyside's Fire Brigade Union chairman Mark Dunne said: "We have had 14 calls from firefighters who have been told they face disciplinary action because of the strike.

"It is over very low level incidents. One is for smiling aggressively and there are also ones for being rowdy and boisterous.

"It is unbelievable, particularly as both sides signed a back to work agreement which was supposed to mean that neither side would use the strike against the other.

"The problem seems to be that station managers and area managers are ignorant about the agreement."

Firefighters on Merseyside have a lot to smile about following their tremendous victory, which was won thanks to great solidarity, in spite of a corporate media campaign against the union. Not surprisingly, the bosses who tried to break the FBU can't bear to see happy workers.

For in-depth analysis of the dispute, visit  http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/regions/liverpool/2006/09/351022.html

Joe Hill

Additions

storm in a tea cup

28.11.2006 16:19

following on from the original charges 1 firefighter has now been charged under discipline for drinking a cup of coffee outside of a designated break time! When will this medness stop corperate bullying is part of the reason we went on strike in the first place. One thing for sure they can take our tea but yhey will never take our union!

ff phil green
mail e-mail: the_greenhouse_99@yahoo.co.uk


Comments

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staring

10.11.2006 12:28

Had to laugh at the police being reduced to arresting people for smiling agressively. In London an anti-fur protestor was arrested simply for staring across a large busy road at the shop. He was acquitted though.

Fascist times

FATW


Phew

10.11.2006 14:02


Like being in possesion of an offensive wife

ventura