Kenilworth Fire Station could face blow from working time directive says local MEP

5.42.08pm GMT Tue 24th Mar 2009

Liz Lynne MEP and Cllr John Whitehouse with firefighters in Kenilworth

Liz Lynne, the LibDem Euro MP for Warwickshire and the West Midlands has met the crew of Kenilworth Fire Station to discuss the impact changes to the EU Working Time Directive may have on retained firefighters. John Whitehouse, the local Lib Dem county councillor for Kenilworth Abbey, also attended the meeting.

Liz, who is Vice-President of the European Parliament's Employment and Social Affairs Committee, is leading a campaign to keep the right of retained fire fighters to opt out of the 48 hour limit in the directive. Emergency cover by retained firefighters is under threat of being drastically scaled back if this opt out is not retained. The moves follow a vote by the European Parliament, backed by many Labour MEPs, to end Britain's opt out of the 48 hour limit in the working time directive.

Kenilworth fire station and many other fire stations outside major urban areas in the UK are staffed by retained firefighters, most of whom have other full time jobs. They provide cover by living very close to their local fire stations and can be mobilised in a matter of minutes. Liz is working closely on the campaign with the Retained Firefighters Union, which fears that if the battle to keep the opt out on working time is lost, thousands of hours of emergency cover would be removed in Warwickshire alone.

Liz is the shadow rapporteur for the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats in Europe and the only UK lead for any party involved in negotiations with government Ministers from Member States on the Working Time Directive.

Speaking after meeting Kenilworth firefighters today Liz Lynne MEP said:

"It is vital that retained fire fighters can continue to provide their lifesaving service to rural communities. Scrapping the opt out from the 48 hour week limit for firefighters would seriously damage our fire service and put lives at risk.

"Kenilworth's retained firefighters are outstandingly brave and dedicated public servants who put their lives on the line for the public good. The retained system is proven and cost effective.

"The loss of the UK's opt out of the 48 hour week, something backed by Labour MEPs, would also be a disaster for many working people and businesses trying to make ends meet in what are difficult economic times.

"I have always argued the retention of the UK's opt out of the 48 hour week must be kept, so long as this is truly voluntary. Workers should be allowed to earn overtime if they wish to. Scrapping the opt could push people into illegal work where they are not be covered by Health and Safety legislation including the dangerous machinery directive."

"The UK Government should have been able to rely on all their own MEPs to support them in the retention of the Opt Out of the 48 hour limit in the Working Time Directive but that has not been the case. For months now the Government have had to work with me on this as they couldn't get the support of their own party."

John Whitehouse said:

" I am totally behind Liz Lynne and the Retained Firefighters Union campaign on this issue. The future of Kenilworth Fire Station is at stake here, because it is manned almost completely by retained firefighters. Our local fire crews provide a magnificent service to our community, and the men and women who risk their lives in the line of duty deserve our gratitude and our wholehearted support."

The Vice President of the Retained Firefighters Union Tony Morgan, who also visited Kenilworth fire station today said:

"If the UK loses the opt-out from the 48-hour week then retained firefighters up and down the country face a real threat. Many retained firefighters may be forced to dramatically cut the number of hours emergency cover they provide leaving rural areas understaffed and in serious danger.

"Not only will losing the 48-hour week opt out mean retained firefighters are less able to attend emergencies, but it will also mean significant reductions in the amount of community education and fire prevention that retained firefighters carry out each week. This vital work helps saves lives and yet is in danger of being lost."

The Liberal Democrats have launched a petition supporting the firefighters urging the government to hold firm and keep the opt out for retained firefighters. Sign the petition on KeepTheOptOut.org.

Related Link:

Keep The Opt Out For Retained Firefighters