For the families of the striking fire fighters, Christmas 1977 was going to be a difficult one until four of the country’s allegedly most reviled people brought happiness and festive gifts to the firefighters and their families. The Sex Pistols played a benefit gig for the families of striking fire fighters at the Ivanhoe’s club, Huddersfield, in the north of England. They had been banned from nearly every civic venue in the UK and were on an MI5 blacklist.
For two years, the fire fighters had waited for the Labour government to negotiate a pay raise, but nothing had happened. As the cost of food, fuel and taxes skyrocketed, the pay-in-the-pocket of the average worker was worthless. Therefore, a ballot of the 30,000 strong Fire Brigades Union was held, which received 97.5% support for strike action. On the 14th November, 1977, the fire fighter’s strike began.
On Christmas Day, 1977, the Pistols quietly organized a benefit gig for the Fire Brigade Union. This was done as surreptitiously as possible, for if the council discovered the Pistols were playing (especially on the Lord’s birthday), the venue would be closed immediately.
Via: Dangerous Minds
I remember it well. Soldiers were deployed in 1950s civil defence force 'Green Goddess' fire tenders.
ReplyDeleteAs again in 2002/3. The old trucks were hopelessly inaccurate compared to modern equipment. I recall two soldiers lost their lives in a fire in Manchester.
Firefighters aren't permitted to strike in Ontario because they are an essential service. Disputes are sent to binding arbitration and arbitrators have historically been quite generous when granting settlements to firefighters and police.
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