UK News 27-11-2002 11,000 Firemen Could Lose Their Jobs who: John Prescott what: Says 11,000 firemen may have to accept early retirement where: House of Commons, LONDON when: Yesterday snippet: "John Prescott set back hopes of an early end to the fire strikes last night," says The Guardian, "when he warned union leaders that the imminent retirement of 11,000 firefighters should provide `ample opportunity` to cut jobs without compulsory redundancies or sackings." "Fire service minister Nick Raynsford said that as far as the Government was concerned, the agenda was now about modernisation to justify any award over 4%," says The Evening Standard. He emphasised that the striking Fire Brigades Union, which has demanded a 40% pay rise, would be offered "a substantial pay award" only in exchange "for substantial modernisation". "Andy Gilchrist, the union`s general secretary, who was in the public gallery for Mr Prescott`s Commons statement, said the Government had finally `come clean` that the Bain review into the fire service would result in a massive loss of jobs and fire appliances and the closure of fire stations," says The Telegraph. But the deputy prime minister claims that the requisite reduction in manpower could be achieved through early retirement. The Times says that it`s time for chancellor Gordon Brown, the man with his hand on the purse strings, to "step out of the shadows and state how far the Prime Minister`s proposals as set out yesterday are negotiable," writes Simon Jenkins. "He must then sit down at the table and deal with Mr Gilchrist to his face. Bellowing at a CBI conference is not negotiating." [... more]

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