UK News 03-12-2002 Strike Off As Unions `Crumble` who: FBU leader Andy Gilchrist what: Denies backing down after calling off fire strike where: LONDON when: Yesterday snippet: Hopes of a resolution to the fire dispute "rose dramatically last night", claims The Scotsman, "when Andy Gilchrist, the Fire Brigades Union leader, called off a second eight-day strike and agreed to return to the negotiating table." The anti-strike Sun claims that "the sensational move was a clear sign that militant leader Andy Gilchrist knew he was losing public support." The pro-strike Mirror, however, hailed Gilchrist`s attempt to bring the dispute to a sensible conclusion. "This is not a sign of weakness," he said. "We`ve always said we want to find a solution. Our position has not changed. We need a significant offer on pay." Firefighters themselves are split on the decision to cancel next week`s strike. "We are totally amazed that the strike has been suspended," Islington firefighter Carl Barliow tells The Guardian. "We had the moral ground. This is total bullsh*t. We have been sold down the river." Down the road at Clerkenwell fire station, however, the mood was different. "We are just enormously pleased to be going back to work," said station officer Robin Whittington, with a relieved smile. "This shows the public we are willing to talk. It is absolutely fantastic." What is indisputable - reckons The Telegraph - is that the FBU`s decision "represents a significant change of tactics by the union leadership, which only 24 hours earlier had been talking of the possibity of four-week stoppages in the New Year." "If this is a sign they are prepared to negotiate seriously on the whole issue of modernisation, then that is good news," Tony Blair`s official spokesman said. [... more]

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