Support the Fire Fighters! Last Wednesday I walked into the coffee lounge of the Hilton Brighton Metropole Hotel.

In the centre of the lounge, sitting alone, was a large, cheerful man with a ruddy complexion.

In front of him a pile of papers - The Socialist Weekly.

The lounge was littered with pamphlets and other papers - no need to pinch one of the hotel's dailies.

In addition to The Socialist Weekly there was the Daily Star, incorporating The Worker, Newsline - Supporting The Workers' Revolutionary Party, pamphlets from the Socialist Alliance and Red Watch - The Voice of Rank and File Firefighters.

Suddenly the room was full of delegates to a Fire Brigades Union conference called to consider the latest offer of a 16 per cent pay rise, subject to changes in working practices.

Some delegates split into groups to discuss the various resolutions. Others looked sad and thoughtful.

Many firefighters are ex-Services and love their job.

Some delegates were angry and resented the accusation made by some that they were traitors.

"I was in the Navy and served in the Falklands War," said Paul. "Mrs Thatcher said we were heroes."

I spoke to the large man, still sitting at his table who said he was Bill Mullins, a reporter for The Socialist Worker.

He was a senior shop steward at Rover in the days of Red Robbo. "What is going to happen?" I asked.

"The delegates won't accept the offer. I'm off to find something to eat - I can't afford Metropole prices."

What is to be done? Our fire service is one of the best in the world and firefighters' pay has fallen behind other groups.

Many do other jobs. "It's the only way I can cope," said a fireman with three young children.

Another told me he worked as an undertaker on his days off.

The shift system, a bone of contention, gives firemen an opportunity to find extra work.

What has this to do with business?

Low pay creates social problems but over-generous deals will make it more difficult for our country to compete in the world markets. It is a difficult subject.

There are Golden Hellos for some businessmen and Golden Goodbyes even if they fail.

Should there be such a gap between consultants' and nurses' pay? There are many anomalies.

If Mr Prescott is to impose a settlement, I hope it will be a fair one.

There was no red flag flying over the Hilton Brighton Metropole Hotel.

Wednesday March 26 2003