FIREFIGHTERS' PAY

Early day motion 1817, tabled 24 October 2002 by Elfyn Llwyd (Plaid Cymru). Signed by 9 members.

That this House affirms that the fundamental role of government is ensuring the security and welfare of the people; believes that to this end industrial action by firefighters must be avoided, and that this can be achieved if the Government takes charge of the situation on a fair and impartial basis; believes that the Government's conduct to date has worked to exacerbate rather than resolve the crisis, including unhelpful interference in pay negotiations between the employers and the Fire Brigades Union, and the offensive language deployed by the Prime Minister and other Ministers; notes that the formula used to determine firefighters' pay since 1977 is outmoded and has resulted in salary levels falling from above to below average earnings; and calls on the Government to broker real negotiations and a genuine independent pay review which carries the confidence of both sides in the dispute, and to make a clear commitment to fund in full the recommendations of such a review, in recognition of the dedication and skilled professionalism of firefighters and fire control staff.

Signatures by party: Scottish National Party 5, Plaid Cymru 4.