|
Due to an almost criminal decision by a short sighted and far removed Government - new RDS recruits have protection, |
|
 |
The Government has again showed a scant disregard and pathetic understanding of how the RDS work, any new firefighter seriously injured whilst in the line of duty, providing an exact same service as his wholetime colleagues, will now be ofered approximately 10% of his salary in sickness retirement - that could equate to about £40 a month.
Firefighters who were employed before April 2006 will get a sickness retirement up to the annual salary of a Watch Manager.
In the same way as the Government doesn't like to admit to its dirty little secret that armed forces personnel can get seriously injured whilst in the line of duty and consequently may require a lifetimes worth of adequate compensation, so they seem to miss the fact that fire fighters although highly trained, put themselves in a position where they may get injured.
Let us also not forget the fact that although every counties Fire Service costs millions a year to run, the financial benefits to society (vis a vis the Government) are much, much greater.
This also comes from a labour government, a government who is steeped in the history of fighting for the worker and their rights. But a government who now asks an individual (who may have a family to support) to put themselves in life threatening situations but if the worse happens will offer them, what is in effect not compensation but an insult.
It is time that the Government stood behind its employees, leading from the front not cowering behind them. Otherwise they will soon find the numbers they shelter themselves and their community behind rapidly dwindling.
We challenge the government to admit their failure and revert to the original compensation scheme not after months or weeks of deliberation but now.
|
|
Parliament debate on the above
The web resource is here.
|
|
|
|
