Discontented winter
So, it looks like the Fire Brigade are almost certain to go on strike in the next few weeks. I can’t say that I’m surprised, or, for that matter, unsympathetic. They get paid pretty poorly for a dangerous and difficult job, and they’ve lost patience. I’d be amazed if they do get a 40% rise, but it pays to aim high, I suppose. House prices being what they are in the South, public sector workers have no hope at all of buying a family home (nor have I, for that matter). I saw one news piece some time ago, where a firefighter was sleeping in his car because his family home was a 300 mile round trip away - an insane situation for anyone, let alone someone with such a critical job.
