Welsh firefighters set to fight service changes

A number of fire crews in South Wales plan to protest over a new duty system that could lead to job cuts in the region.

Firefighters are to air their views in a fire authority meeting today after it was revealed that up to 48 could lose their jobs at three stations because the South Wales Fire and Rescue Service looks to save £1.5million.

The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) also anticipates longer working hours and other implications for its members and so plans to discuss this with the fire authority at their headquarters in Llantrisant, Rhondda Cynon Taf.

However, Kevin Barry, Deputy Chief Fire Officer for the fire service has declared that there has been a “great deal of misunderstanding” over these proposals and hopes to make everything clear through consultation with the union over the next few weeks.

The issue revolves around a self-rostering system which come into force at the three fire stations (Maesteg, Penarth and New Inn in Pontypool) with firefighters against the loss of jobs and new working patterns.

Mark Watt, the chair of South Wales FBU Brigade has said that members are worried these kinds of changes are set to continue if they agree to the proposals:

“That means there will be massive job losses, huge health, safety and welfare implications for our members and a virtual working week of some 90 to 100 hours.”

“This is totally unacceptable to our members and they intend to fight it.”