Council men eager for

VICTOR FEATHER, Trades Union Congress general secretary, was called into the public authority manual workers' dispute yesterday as council workers in 18 of London's 32 boroughs finalized arrangements for strike action today. 'Sick of secretary of the National Joint Industrial Council told Feather The could give would be inquiries' appreciated.

firemen start government over pay. scheduled as the first in a action stoppages.

lowest basic rate to £16 10s.

IT WAS 'emergency calls only' at fire stations all over Britain yesterday as 35,000 firemen began a week's action demanding higher pay and shorter The firemen-members of the Fire Brigades Union— want a 40-hour basic work- he Tory government. ing week, instead of the present 46 hours.

In fact, because of chronic undermanning and the deliberate run-down of the mined to win their increase force, all firemen work a compulsory • 56-hour week and a reduction in the basic hours would mean wage rises of up to £5.

Ibe claim has been turned down by the employérs' side of the National Joint Council.

At the end of the week's action, the FBU executive is to considèr further sanc- SOCIALIST tions if, as seems almost certain, the employers do not meet the claim. LABOUR Solid support Reports from London stations yesterday indicated solid support all over the 'We're sitting absolutely tight. We will only answer strictly emergency calls,' Sanderstead firemen told But many of the men feel the present action is only a sop to growing militancy within the union.

Particularly in London, FBU chiefs have come under heavy fire-including a barrage of flour and eggs at a meeting last November —for their vacillating policy.

Present pay is well below craftsmen's rates in industry, with which the firemen want parity.

One London fireman with over ten years' service told after 56 hours was £30 18s.

'It's just not comparable with wages in industry, he said.

'Of course, they claim that we're only really working 27 hours a week.

LEAGUE Trotsky Memorial Meeting GLASGOW Partick Burgh Hall (nr Merkland St underground)

7.30 p.m.

Admission 2s. aswwandn Speaker: i. Healy (BLL national secretary. für st linotskäytst Sunday dinywnewsppaperWORKERSIPRESISI October 4

'If that's the case I'd like them to tell me what I'm doing with the other 29 hours I'm at the station' This time, the executive has called for an independent Home Office inquiry into wages and conditions.

• Inquiries But firemen are sick and tired of inquiries.

'We've had the • Martech report, we've had the Webber report, and now we've got the Holroyd report, one area official commented yesterday.

'As far as money is concerned - and that's what we're worried about -there's nothing in these except longer hours.

Now they're talking of an 80-hour week-40 hours in the station and 40 hours "on call" at home. I ask you, which century are we living in, the 20th or the 15th ?

my were had enough of 'Another inquiry will and we've had enough that already.

'We know what the Tory government has said already about local authority wOrkers and the nationalized industries. They must think we're naive.' Sanderstead fireman Ken Bonter told Workers Press that in his opinion Londón men had seen protest actions before.

Escalate

"The governors just say: "Get on with it lads". It hasn't got a great deal of impact.

'After this week, I only hope the executive has the and escalate the action.

'If this week doesn't do it, and I don't think it will, then let's go in with a bang.' WEATHER London area, SE, central southern, central northern and NW England.

and Channel Islands: Dry with sunny periods after mist and fog patches clear. Wind south, light 23c (73F). Very warm. Max. Sew Showers: Suind seriod moder ate fresh. Warm. Max. 20C (68F).

Edinburgh, Glasgow area: Dry with sunny periods after mist or fog patches clear. iWnd moderate or fresh. Warm. Max. 20C (68F).

N Ireland: Cloudy with occasional rain. Wind south, fresh, locally Outlook Warm following 48 hours: strong. Max. 18C (64F). Changeable with rain or showers in most places but mostly dry at first in south-east. SUBSCRIBE NOW Namo..

Adress.

ARAFAT TO EXPLAIN See page one Damascus, Monday: Guerrilla chief Yassir Arafat flew here yesterday from Cairo to explain to his supporters in Damascus and 'liberated' N Jordan why he signed the coexistence agreement with King PIT CLOSURE MEETING Miners' leaders representing the 450 men who are to lose their jobs at Sunderland's Silksworth colliery are to meet Coal Board officials this week.

Silksworth miners are pressing for no less of earnings on transfer, a choice of new workplace and the pit's new manning requirements to be filled before any transfers.