Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Emergency legislation is to be introduced to impose a pay deal in the bitter firefighters' dispute, Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott announced today.
In the Commons, Mr Prescott said it was "unacceptable" for 19,000 members of the armed forces to be "tied down" here, while war was under way in Iraq, providing cover in case firefighters struck again.
Urging the Fire Brigades Union to ballot individual members on the latest pay offer, he said: "I put my faith in the common sense and decency of firefighters to bring this dispute to an end."
The choice for firefighters was simple - accept a "generous" deal approved by the FBU Executive, but rejected yesterday by the union's recalled conference, or continue with a dispute that was "going nowhere and will require me to act".
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments