Firefighters have support from the public for their strike but not as much as before.
The Gazette carried out a straw poll in and around Colchester town centre yesterday finding out whether people backed the firefighters' strike action and whether they felt they should have accepted the pay offer of 11 per cent over two years.
The results show 42 per cent of people back the firefighters in taking strike action, with 33 per cent against and 25 per cent of those asked not sure.
But when it came to whether or not they should have accepted the pay offer, the numbers were split with 42 per cent believing they should have taken the deal, and 42 per cent thinking they should stand firm. The survey revealed 16 per cent of people are unsure.
Many people said they felt firefighters deserved more than the 11 per cent offer but felt there were ways, other than strike action, of getting what they want.
It marks a significant shift since the Gazette's poll last month, which showed nearly 60 per cent of people supported the strike.
Published Thursday November 14, 2002
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