EXCLUSIVE

by Dan Bloom

dbloom@thekmgroup.co.uk

Strikes could hit fire stations across Kent as firefighters protest against management changes.

Retained or "on-call" firefighters are angry over plans to change to a "part-time" system, where they will have to give their availability in advance.

Bosses claim the move will improve reliability but many firefighters disagree, saying it will halve their hours and endanger lives.

Today a leading member of the Fire Brigades Union refused to rule out county-wide strikes if Kent members reject the proposals in two weeks' time.

Executive council member for the South East Jim Parrott told KentOnline: "The union has reached as far as it can with the management. Retained members are threatening to leave.

"There's always been a reluctance to take industrial action because of the impact on communities. Yet you can recover from industrial action but you can't recover if someone leaves."

The union is calling a mass meeting on March 10.

Mr Parrott said: "We are running a ballot before then to see if people accept or reject the changes.

"The way it looks at the moment it's likely to be rejected."

He blamed management's approach to the proposals, saying: "It almost seems they don't trust the retained staff."

But he added: "No decisions have been made. We're not ruling anything out. If our members reject the proposals it could be further negotiation or it could be strike action."

Kent Fire and Rescue Service chief executive Ann Millington said: "There is a vote on the conditions in the service order regarding the transfer to part-time workers, which is very different from an official ballot.

"We understand senior brigade officials have recommended that their members accept the service order, taking into account some minor adjustments and points of clarification.

"We have been in positive discussions with the union throughout, addressing any concerns and working towards the move to part time contracts. We are already getting feedback from firefighters and stations who want to make the transfer to part time contacts as they can see that it improves their terms and conditions and guarantees us better emergency cover for the county."

Are you a firefighter or will you be affected by the changes? Leave your comments below.