How the British survived their firemen’s strike

Press, 21 February 1987, Page 4

How the British survived their firemen’s strike

By NZPA staff carrespondent London Troops were brought In from as far away as Cyprus to man the "Green Goddesses” that Britain used to fight fires during a 60-day national strike by firemen at the end of 1977.

The Labour Prime Minister, James Callaghan, called in the 850-strong fleet of Home Office fire engines, which were built in the 1950 s for Civil Defence, to break the strike.

The appearance of the machines, a symbol of the bitter two-month dispute, meant troops did not have to cross picket lines and enter fire stations.

The efficiency of firefighting suffered during the strike, but the country was relieved to find that there had been no greater loss of life than in normal times.

The British strike “let the nation off lightly” in terms of death and injury, according to “The Times.”

It said at the time: “Contrary to some fearful expectations, the cost of the strike in human life was mercifully no greater than in normal times.” However the cost in loss of property was “great” The Chief Inspector of Fire Services for England and Wales said in his annual report that fire

losses during the strike were roughly double what might have been expected if the strike had not taken place. Losses in November, 1977, cost £42.7 million compared with £12.7 million in the same month the previous year, and in December the losses were £33.8 million, compared with £17.2 million. ,f- i

Mr Callaghan invoked the Emergency Powers Act, 1964, which gave authority to use the Armed Forces in industrial disputes without Parliamentary approval, provided their use was approved by the Government’s Defence Council The Government’s battle with the unions over a pay claim in excess of official guidelines was not the first time troops were called in to provide fire cover, although the 1977 case was by far the most notable occasion.

The Army was also used as fire-fighters in 1973 in Glasgow, during a short, unofficial firemen’s strike.

However, in 1977 32,000 British firemen left their posts and so Mr Callaghan summoned 18,000 servicemen to take over. Many of them were given four hours basic training at the Royal Air Force fire-fight-ing course at Catterick in Yorkshire.