Lib Dem Candidates Campaign To Protect Retained Firefighters
April 3, 2009 2:51 PM
Richard Burt (left) and Cliff Slade are campaigning to save retained firefighters.
Tenbury's Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate, Richard Burt and county council candidate, Cliff Slade have written to the Minister for Europe, Caroline Flint MP demanding that she backs the retention of Britain's opt-out from the European Union Working Time Directive to protect retained fire service cover in the town.
The Working Time Directive limits working time to 48 hours per week and could cut work carried out by retained firefighters who also have full time jobs.
Cliff Slade said: "Having served ten years in Tenbury as a retained firefighter, I know how dedicated and professional our part-time firefighters really are. Under the current opt-out they are able to respond to emergency calls at any time of the day or night, and they also undertake essential training and drills, home fire safety visits and attend local fetes and shows.
"If the opt out is ditched it will open up Pandora's box and the service could be bogged down in complicated arguments about working hours and practices that threaten the existing network of fire cover."
"The current system works really well, so if it isn't broke, why fix it?" added Cliff.
"We have written to the Minister for Europe in the hope that she will influence Labour MEPs who voted in favour of getting rid of the opt-out," said Richard.
"Retained crews provide the majority of fire and rescue cover in Worcestershire and Herefordshire - including eighteen retained firefighters in Tenbury. Scrapping the opt-out would not only threaten existing fire and rescue services, but it would hurt many working people and businesses that are trying to make ends meet in difficult economic times."
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