I AM appalled at the attitude of the firemen and their union.

They have no right to put the country to this strike, or ransom, as your article indicated. What other profession can retire at 52 years with a full pension?

The union has been talking about this strike for seven months. Why have the firefighters not made any provision to allow for this, or did they feel that the Government would cave in to this unrealistic demand?

The Government have put on the table 11 per cent over two years, with the proviso that certain working conditions are allowed and, I believe, this is the crux of the matter. Change is not what they are about.

What about other public services , such as nurses, paramedics and a raft of professionals? Where is the economy going in all this? We also feel that the fire engines in the stations, which have been purchased through the public purse, must be used as well as the Green Goddess machines.

I have no doubt this will be a long dispute and I hope common sense will prevail at the end of the day. As with all strikes in my life, there will be no winners, but lots of acrimony and bitterness.

R Collier

Wellington Road

Turton, Bolton