'Fuel added to the firefighters' flames'

FUEL was added to the flames of the fire dispute this week as John Prescott's move to ban strikes strengthened firefighters' resolve.

Hunched over their blazing brazier for a second day on Wednesday, the mood of local pickets was angry.

The Deputy Prime Minister told the Commons on Tuesday that he proposes to reactivate provisions in the 1947 Fire Services Act which were repealed in 1959.

This would allow the Government to determine both the pay and the conditions of firefighters nationwide.

Passing drivers continued to hoot in support as station Fire Brigades Union representative Leading Firefighter Mark Mitchell summed up Bexhill colleagues' response the following morning.

"I don't think it was something anyone expected - not here, not at union headquarters.

"It just smacks of bully-boy tactics to suddenly impose a pay-and-conditions deal on us.

"Certainly, I think it has inflamed the situation rather than calmed it.

"All they had to do was remove the pre-conditions they had put on talks and we would be back talking with our own employers about pay and conditions.

"I think he's also put pressure on both the employers and the FBU."

As yet another passing vehicle hooted, he added: "We have been having more support than we did last week.

"I think the message is getting through because insurers are putting their premiums up."

Ministry of Defence crews manning Green Goddesses again stood by to provide emergency cover during this week's strike.