['OUR MAN AT THE TOP calculated until the…]

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'OUR MAN AT THE TOP calculated until the Department of Employment's earnings Wiard survey published its annual figures on October 26.

But Parry did say that in his view the Daily Express report anticipating a 20% rise-meaning around £15 per week for qualified firemen on the top rate of pay-"would not be far out' , and that the rise might be more than that.

Difficult period

However it was suggested that if the figures were revealed it might encourage other sections of workers to press claims in excess of the 5% pay limit.

The £15 per week figure would in any event apply only to firemen with 4-5 years service-with lower grades getting considerably less.

But the size of the increase will no doubt encourage the employers to pursue their policy of attempting to run fire stations with less men on duty than at present.

Firemen now face a difficult period in which they must fight to defend existing jobs and manning levels at the present 48 hour week standaras-even before the struggie to force employers to man up to the same levels of cover for the 42- "Picked off" PHOTO: Chris Davies, Report hour week.

Indeed in the debate on the 42-hour week Parry argued strongly against an emergency resolution . from Greater Manchester calling for the FBU to force the employers to agree to implement the 42-hour week by December 1 or take unilateral action as a union to implement it from that date.

Parry claimed that with only one third of brigades manned up to be able to no over to the 42 hour week at present, this policy would give the employers an excuse to back out of talks.

And he arguid that while some brigades mght be able to implement the shorter hours unilaterally, others «would be picked off, with the employers using the action as a pretext to cut manning levels.

His appeal for no action was capped off with a ritual plea for "unity" The Executive resolution, calling tor a negotiated arrangement for the introduction of the 42 hour week to be reported to a recall conference on 28 November, was carried by 3-1 majority; Firemen on the march during backed by many of the larger brigades, including Merseyside.

A resolution from the Bucks brigade criticising the Executive's handling of last winter's strike was withdrawn in order to support the Greater Manchester move on the 42hour week.

Delegates went on to virtually nod through a series of new rules designed to tighten up Parry disciplinary procedures in the union.

With only minor amendments the whole of the EC document was adopted -though at one point it was revealed that through a defective microphone some delegates had been voting even though prevented from hearing the debate!

The rule changes end the members' right to appeal to full conference against expulsion from the union by the EC.

Clearly such a change is aimed against union representatives who lead militant action on pay and conditions, and will be used by the right wing FBU bureaucracy to buttress themselves against the type of rank and file hostility demonstrated during last winter's strike. 1171

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