MP Meets Local Fire Strikers

12.00.00am GMT Fri 22nd Nov 2002

On Friday MP Vincent Cable visited Twickenham fire fighters on the picket line at beginning of the 8 day strike to hear their point of view and expressed deep concern over public safety:

"I think there is widespread recognition that fire fighters should be respected as highly skilled workers who put their lives on the line and should be paid properly".

"But I don't support strike action and don't think there is a role for strikes in essential services where public safety is involved and lives are at risk."

"Fire fighters pay should be generous, reflecting the fact that they - like the police - do not strike, as well as accepting modern management practices".

"What the government has to do is not just help to bring the dispute to an early end but pave the way for a new pattern of working where fire fighters spend a lot more time on fire prevention work, helping to ensure that elderly people for example are protected by alarms and sprinklers".