EU LAW CHANGE COULD LEAD TO DANGEROUS SHORTAGES IN FIRE COVER - STUNELL
February 16, 2009 5:21 PM
Changes to European working time laws could lead to dangerous shortages in fire cover across Greater Manchester, Liberal Democrat MP Andrew Stunell warned today.
The European Parliament recently passed rules that would scrap Britain's opt-out from the European Working Time Directive. This could mean that retained fire-fighters, who often have other jobs, would have to drastically cut the hours they are available to the fire service.
Mr Stunell says that the fire station at Marple in his Hazel Grove constituency is typical of many in the North West which would be hit. Greater Manchester already has difficulty recruiting retained fire-fighters, with 63% of posts unfilled.
Commenting, Andrew said:
"Retained fire-fighters are a crucial part of Greater Manchester's emergency services, and it is vital that hard-working people who want to help their communities aren't penalised for doing so.
"It is vital to keep the opt-out for retained fire-fighters to ensure that the emergency services are able to continue to provide a flexible high-quality, and crucially, unimpeded, service throughout Greater Manchester
ENDS
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