Aren't we lucky to have Harlequin to let us know what most of us think?

One might think 'they've lost' is an over-simplification; wishful thinking, maybe? Here's a link to an alternative analysis (apols to those without Acrobat file reader):

Are you Ian McCartney in disguise?

Despite all the rhetoric from McLabour it is clear that the firefighters dipute has put the wind up them, why else would we hear such united condemnation from the country's elites, all the way from 'The Scum' to 'The Fraudian'. This strike has been a real eye-opener for many. When such a broad range of establishment forces attack you so viciously them it's pretty certain that you're doing something right. It's also highlighted the lackeys and collabarators on which the elites rely in order to control workers struggles - Monks, Morris, the insufferable Ian McCartney and the many privileged 'journalists' in the 'liberal' media.

As the old saying goes - it ain't over till the fat bastard squawks.

"Harlequin" (what is your *real* name?)

Did you also think that these pay rises were "totally unrealistic":

"Regeneration agency under fire for 34% pay rise", 23 August 2002
 http://society.guardian.co.uk/regeneration/news/0,8367,779601,00.html

Which is the really greedy profession
From The Barnet Times

To all the MPs who have seen fit to refer to the firefighters' pay campaign as greedy', unrealistic' and fantasy'. In 1978, firefighters earned £4,606 (67 per cent of an MP's pay). Today a firefighter's pay has increased by 450 per cent. In the same period, an MP's pay has increased by more than 800 per cent.

A firefighter today earns £21,500 after four years' training (which is 39 per cent of an MP's pay), an MP earns £55,000 from day one. If firefighters still earned 67 per cent of an MP's salary they would today earn £37,000. Firefighters and MPs are both public servants. Both are in a position to help others.

It appears to me that one of these two professions is keener to help themselves first, and others (perhaps providing it doesn't upset the economy) later.

Keith Rhodes

Harrow fire station

 http://thisislocallondon.newsquest.co.uk/news/canned/display.html?nwid=646740&PAGE=Firefighters+Strikes

Why is a 40 per cent pay rise unrealistic for firefighters, but is fine for MPs and directors of privatised utilities (many of whom include politicians and ex-ministers)? Why must professionals in the public sector be worse off than professionals in the private sector? Why aren't semi-skilled and unskilled workers who also provide essential labour (eg farmworkers) not properly rewarded for their hard work?

From my personal perspective, I am paid a lot more than a nurse who is doing a far more valuable job than I am - yet I can barely afford the cost of housing and food in this country. I sympathise and support any poorly paid group and would stand with them on the picket lines if it didn't mean losing my job.

The firefighters battle isn't over yet and if they fail, we will all be worse off in the long-run.

and the demo is still on as far as I am aware from news received today.

What this vacillation by the firefighters leadership shows is the need for a more resolute and determined FBU leadership. It also shows the need to star building an organised alternative. many people are trying, but they lack the serious finance to accomplish this task. It is time for the FBU to elect a union leadership which will break with McLabour, cut all finance to this party, and give its political fund to the Socialist Alliance.

What this vacillation by the firefighters leadership shows is the need for a more resolute and determined FBU leadership. It also shows the need to star building an organised alternative. many people are trying, but they lack the serious finance to accomplish this task. It is time for the FBU to elect a union leadership which will break with McLabour, cut all finance to this party, and give its political fund to the Socialist Alliance.

sorry i posted that inflamatory piece of bigoted non-news
'they' keep making me do it!