Part-time crews 'are being intimidated'
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.There were allegations last night that part-time firefighters had received threatening telephone calls and notes even before the strike had begun.
The Retained Firefighters Union (RFU), which represents many of the part-time or retained firefighters, said there had been attempts to intimidate its members. A spokesman said: "Unfortunately there will be a lot of nastiness before this dispute is over." Its members in Berkshire, West Yorkshire and on the Isle of Wight are believed to have reported threats, some from anonymous phone calls.
Members in south Wales have apparently been sent copies of Jack London's poem "The Scab", which describes a strike breaker as a "two-legged animal with a corkscrew soul".
RFU officials in Norfolk and Wales said firefighters serving part-time in the hope of securing a full-time job have been told they will not be recruited if they work during the dispute.
In a separate development, the union's spokesman, Tristan Ashby, said members were being wrongly accused of striking by the public. "Our members are getting spat at and called names in the street because the media is giving the impression that all the firefighters are going on strike when they are continuing to serve their communities," he said.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments