Campaign to save our retained fire fighters.

12.30.00pm GMT Sat 7th Mar 2009

Liz Lynne MEP and Danny Alexander MP campaign to keep the opt-out

LibDem MEP Liz Lynne and Danny Alexander, MP for Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey, launched a petition to save retained fire fighters across the country today at the LibDem Conference in Harrogate.

Retained fire fighters, who provide vital cover for up to 90% of the UK, are under threat from plans to end the UK's opt-out of the 48 hour limit in the EU Working Time Directive.

Liz Lynne, who is Vice- President of the Employment and Social Affairs Committee in the European Parliament, has been fighting to keep the UK's opt-out and is the Shadow rapporteur for the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats in Europe. She is the only UK lead for any party in the European Parliament involved in negotiations with the Council of Europe over the legislation.

Danny Alexander MP represents a rural constituency which relies heavily on retained fire fighters to provide emergency cover.

Speaking at the event Liz said:

"Retained fire fighters provide a vital, lifesaving service in many local communities. Scrapping the opt out would damage our fire services and put lives at risk.

"It would also hurt many working people and businesses trying to make ends meet. I have always argued that our opt out of the Working Time rules must be kept, so long as the decision is truly voluntary.

"This applies to anyone who wishes to work extra hours. Safety is already covered by the Health and Safety laws including the Dangerous Machinery Directive."

Danny Alexander MP said:

"There is a very real threat to emergency cover provided by retained fire fighters if we lose the opt out of the 48 hour limit. This applies to rural areas in my constituency and across Scotland, England and Wales."

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 the government ministers from EU Member States.