Lives at risk: Working Time limits pose huge threat to retained fire cover - LibDem MEP

9.11.00pm GMT Wed 4th Mar 2009

Stoke Euro MP Liz Lynne and the Liberal Democrats are stepping up a campaign to preserve the UK's opt out from the Working Time Directive, which would pose a huge threat to retained fire and flood emergency cover, especially in rural areas.

The LibDem MEP has launched a nationwide petition demanding that Britain keeps the voluntary opt out from a maximum weekly working time of 48 hours, after the European Parliament voted to scrap it.

The vote was opposed by the UK government but supported by many Labour MEPs.

Liz Lynne said:

"Ending the UK's voluntary opt out on working time would seriously affect fire and flood rescue services across the UK - especially in rural counties, where almost all fire stations outside the main towns rely on retained crews who have other jobs."

"It is vital that we make clear to Gordon Brown that the government must stand firm on this issue, or lives would be at risk. I am fighting as hard as I can in Brussels to keep our Opt Out in the conciliation process, but we need ministers to hold the line in the negotiations. They are having to deal with me as they cannot rely on support from many of their own MEPs."

"In Shropshire alone, retained firecrew currently provide 10,560 hours of fire cover per week, if a 48 hour limit was strictly applied this would fall to just 1000 hours. Even if averaged over a longer period, the fire authority fears thousands of hours of fire and flood emergency cover would be lost and lives would be at risk."

"Losing the opt out would also hurt many working people and businesses trying to make ends meet. I have always argued that the opt out of the EU Working Time rules must be kept, so long as the decision to do so is truly voluntary. This applies not just to firefighters but to all workers who wish to work extra hours. The safety aspect is already covered by Health and Safety laws including the Dangerous Machinery directive."

Liz Lynne and the Lib Dems are working closely with the Retained Firefighters Union, who are worried that losing the opt out could drastically reduce the cover offered by their members.

ENDS

Note: Liz Lynne MEP is the shadow rapporteur for the Alliance of Liberal and Democrats in Europe and the only UK lead on the issue for any party in the European Parliament, negotiating with government ministers from EU Member States.