Victory to the FBU

Around 50 striking Merseyside firefighters lobbied Liverpool City Council yesterday over the attacks on their jobs and conditions. This came after the announcement the day before that they would be going out for a further 8 days starting on 12th September, and that the FBU would be holding a national demonstration in Liverpool on the 15th.


The strike has been publicly well recieved despite a consistent press campaign against them. The Liverpool Echo yesterday was being sold with the headline 'Strike Crews Tackle Deadly Blaze'. It might as well have said 'Scabs Save Lives'. Today they're carrying an attack on the FBU for criticising a 'thank you' event for the strikebreakers. Thankfully Socialist Worker's excellent strike coverage was there to cut through a few lies, and was well recieved both by strikers and passers by yesterday.


It is so crucial that the Firefighters win this dispute. It was clear from talking to a few yesterday that they see themselves as fighting against all the cuts in public services, and that defeat for them would mean a green light for any council that wants to victimise unions and cut jobs.

Background here.

Send messages of support to Merseyside FBU, 50-54 Mount Pleasant, Liverpool L3 5UN. Donations should be sent to Merseyside Hardship Fund, HSBC bank, sort code 40-29-28, account number 91320165.