THE views being expressed by Mr Dave Darby about firefighters in Bolton do not demonstrate a proper understanding of the situation, as he has not been involved in the negotiations or discussions surrounding it.
This started as a local dispute which has now largely been resolved with the FBU. But, because of a national dispute between the National Employers and the FBU, they are seeking to bring this local difficulty into the national problem. They are seeking to do the same in five other brigades, including London, Merseyside and West Yorkshire.
I understand the concern of the firefighters over their conditions of service, but I believe it is wholly wrong that a local issue should be used to generate support for a national problem and thereby place the people of Greater Manchester at risk as I genuinely feel that lives will be lost and property and businesses destroyed if the firefighters decide to strike.
George Almond
County Fire Officer
Greater Manchester County Fire Service
Bolton Road
Swinton
Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.
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