Strike alert over sacked firemen

Sep 17 2007 By Steve Johnson, Birmingham Mail

HUNDREDS of firefighters were today threatening an all-out strike in support of two colleagues sacked over a practical joke on a young recruit.

Watch Commander Mark Smith and Crew Commander Lee Evans, both based at Brierley Hill, lost their jobs over the prank and subsequent appeals against their dismissals were thrown out. A third firefighter was given a final written warning over the incident.

Today it was revealed that a further five firefighters are facing disciplinary hearings at the end of this month - and as many as 25 firemen could eventually be implicated.

The sackings have led to uproar among colleagues, who have now put forward resolutions calling for strike action which were being considered today.

Meanwhile Watch Commander Smith and Crew Commander Evans are taking their case to employment tribunals, alleging unfair dismissal.

Chris Downes, Dudley borough rep with the Fire Brigades Union, said today that morale among firefighters was at an all-time low.

And he said that the sackings of his two colleagues had brought things to a crisis point.

"There is a strong possibility of a strike, which will not only involve firefighters in the Black Country but across the whole of the West Midlands Fire Service.

"Feelings are running very high among firefighters who can't believe what is going on.

"We all feel that Mark and Lee were dealt with much too severely and sackings were completely over the top.

"The Fire Service is really more like Big Brother now - all telephone calls and e-mails made from fire stations can be traced," he added.

Mr Downes said the investigations over the filmed spoof interview, in which the young recruit was allegedly asked to ballet dance, were far-reaching and much wider than anyone realised.

"There are another five firemen facing disciplinary hearings this month and as many as 25 could eventually be implicated.

"The Fire Service is taking the view that anyone who knew what was going on and failed to try to stop it is also to blame," he added.

A West Midlands Fire Service spokesman said today: "We cannot comment in any way on disciplinary matters."