DOUG MACKAY, branch secretary of the Fire Brigades Union:
depending martial status. The rate for someone who has passed his qualifications' with four years in the job is E15 below the adult male average wage. And this for a 48 hour week, working shifts. We have to work two weekends out of every three. Even on the weekend off we have to work every Friday night until 9am Saturday morning.
The Government is offering us 10 per cent and an enquiry. What they ignore is that our claim is based on an enquiry which has just reported — The McArthy Report.
Contrary to many stories in the press we do not get any perks. For instance, unlike the police we do not get a rent allowance.
Our claim is for the average male adult wage plus 10 percent to take account of skills and danger. revolutionary demand.
We are told we can't have our claim because it would mess up the country's so-called cconomic recover. But they are quite happy to award her royal majesty a 1290,000 rise!
We are not responsible for the coun try's ills. thrown 1,500,00 workers on the scrap heap of the dole queue, slashed public expenditure, and let intlation rip.
The press are attempting to brand us as irresponsible baby burners. Let's face it. no one joins the fire brigade who hasn't got a social conscience. conscience doesn't pay the rent or food bills.
We urge all trade unionsts to argue our Birmingham Theaverage firefighter takes home E36 to f46 a week on age and should you.
Don't fail those who never exam and fail you. Smash the 10 per cent. Support fighters!' what 1 get - E47 a week.
This is hardly case with their fellow workers to counter the press and TV propaganda. Our fight is your fight. As the first major group to take on the 10 per cent rule we need your support. The Government knows we are the flag bearers for the public sector. So the fireCOLIN MIDDLETON Area Secretary, Tyne and Wear Fire Brigades Union.
Leading firemen - those who are fully qualified are on about £47 a week take home pay. I've been in the fire service for 27 years and that's If the lowest paid of us packed it in and went on the dole, we'd only be about ES on us. a week worse off. There are already members claiming family supplement and free school meals for the kids.
In this brigade, I don't think there is one of our members who dissented about the strike. Feelings are really strong.
Rees himself promised us in May th our case was a needy one. We'vetoed t the line for two years. The police go th rise in 1975, but we didn't.
We hope the public will stand by us and support us.
Chairperson, West Mi lands Brigade, Fire Brigades Union.
The only people to blame i any casualties are Labour Government. don't take this action lightly. We wor be receiving any strike pay and this is t first strike in the union's history. have taken part in numerous sets negotiations and several working partic but all we have been offered is a palt 10 per cent Strike action has been forc We will be countering the attacks of t press. We will be issueing leaflets to t trade union movement and we shall looking to addressing factory, hospit and workplace meetings.