An Essex ambulance worker has launched a scathing attack on striking firefighters, claiming they are being "greedy".
Emergency - a Goddess crew tackles a blaze in York Road, Southend. Picture: STEVE O'CONNELL FVH3C5
The man, who wished to remain anonymous for fear of reprisals, said he worked for a local ambulance station and many of his colleagues shared his views.
His rebuke of the firefighters came in the wake of comments from a representative of Unison, which represents ambulance personnel, who said the organisation and its members supported the firefighters' action.
Nick Bradley, Unison regional officer for Essex, said at Basildon fire station: "I am here because I represent ambulance drivers in Essex and on their behalf I give you their full support in this dispute and your fight for fairer pay for public sector workers."
But the source from the local ambulance station said this was "total rubbish".
He said: "The firefighters have not got our support. We think they are taking the mickey. Nick Bradley should have consulted his members before he made a statement which is total rubbish and he was acting on his own and not speaking for union members."
He went on to say fire crews already get a better deal than they do.
A spokeswoman for Unison said: "We are very aware the firefighters' strike will have implications for Unison members, ambulance and nursing staff in particular. Unison supports the FBU's right to take legitimate action in support of legitimate means."
Published Friday November 15, 2002
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