London firefighters use vuvuzelas in shift protest

Planning shift changes: London fire commissioner Ron Dobson wants a "speedy conclusion" to a five-year dispute
12 April 2012

Firefighters protesting at proposed changes to their shift patterns were today aiming to demonstrate their fury by sounding 100 vuvuzela trumpets outside a key meeting.

Around 500 members of the Fire Brigades Union were gathering this afternoon outside the headquarters of the London Fire Brigade ahead of a meeting of its controlling fire authority.

It is believed to be the first time that vuvuzelas — which have driven many TV fans mad during the World Cup — have been used as an instrument of industrial unrest in Britain.

The hardline Fire Brigades Union, which has forced previous fire authority meetings to be suspended by blowing whistles and setting off fire alarms, has around 100 of the plastic trumpets.

Fire authority chiefs are so alarmed at the risk of the protest getting out of hand that concerns have been passed to Met police commissioner Sir Paul Stephenson.

London FBU spokesman Paul Embery said: "There should be quite a bit of noise. They have certainly had an impact during the World Cup and you can't fail to hear them.

"We thought it was a good idea to catch the flavour of the moment. When we have a protest it's always our plan to make as much noise as we can."

Protesting firefighters began gathering around midday at the brigade's new headquarters in Southwark.

The fire authority, which oversees the brigade, is expected to endorse a call from London fire commissioner Ron Dobson for a "speedy conclusion" to a five-year dispute over working hours.

Fire chiefs want to change the system of firefighters working two 9am-6pm shifts and then two 6pm-9am shifts — followed by four days off — with shifts that start and finish at 8am and 8pm.

They say this would allow more time for training, fire prevention work in the community and make it easier to recruit more women.

If the proposal is backed by authority members this afternoon a final decision is likely to be made at next month's meeting.

But the FBU fears the introduction of new shift patterns is a "prelude to cutting overnight fire cover" and would force some firefighters to quit because of difficulties arranging childcare.

Mr Embery said: "They want to introduce 12-hour shifts which, frankly, is going to cause people massive practical problems, to the extent that many people may have to leave the service."

Brian Coleman, the Tory fire authority chairman, said: "I wish the FBU had taken all the many opportunities to get into meaningful dialogue. They have consistently refused, for all sorts of spurious reasons."

A row is also expected over changes to the cross-party fire authority's composition. Mayor Boris Johnson has appointed an extra Tory member to the authority and removed a Labour member.

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