THE FIRE DISPUTE AND GOVERMENT CONDUCT

Motion Text

That this House affirms that the fundamental role of government is ensuring the security and welfare of the people; believes that the New Labour Government is guilty of dereliction of its basic responsibilities in provoking the fire dispute by destroying the agreement arrived at by the employers and Fire Brigades Union on Friday 22nd November, thus exacerbating the crisis and endangering peoples' lives, including those service personnel who are providing emergency cover; notes that an integral part of the agreement that New Labour prevented was that both employers and the FBU were 'irrevocably committed' to modernisation, and that a three-staged 16 per cent. salary increase over two years was to be dependent on improved practices; and calls on the Government to facilitate rather than impede an end to the dispute and a fair settlement which recognises the dedication and skilled professionalism of firefighters and fire control staff.