NIFRS crews attending a fire on Derry’s Strand Road earlier this week
Said Cllr Harkin: “We should not accept Tory lies justifying endless bonuses for greedy bankers and pay cuts for firefighters.
“Unlike bankers, firefighters perform a dangerous and crucial service.
“Firefighters in Derry were right to reject an insulting 2 % pay offer – and are right to also reject 5% in favour of an above inflation pay rise.
“Firefighters have endured more than a decade of real terms pay cuts and relentless threats to service provision that put all of us at risk.
“People Before Profit are in full solidarity with the Fire Brigades Union and encourage support for their “Pay Rise or Fire Strike” campaign.
“Firefighters across the South are also balloting for industrial action in response to low-pay and a staffing crisis.
“Just like their Tory counterparts, Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael have spent years undermining this vital public service.
“Across these islands, trade unions are challenging pay cuts and corporate profiteering. We can’t afford to wait on mainstream politicians.
“Building resistance and solidarity now is urgent and crucial.”
