Thousands sign petition to support region's firefighters

Credit: ITV Granada

Almost 7,000 people have signed a petition to protest against 'mass dismissals' in Greater Manchester Fire Service.

The move comes after ITV Granada Reports featured the story on Tuesday's programme (see below) amid anger at claims that the fire service plans to sack every single one of its firefighters, and only re-employ those who agree to a new contract.

  • Rob Smith is live at Fire Brigades Union meeting in Greater Manchester

Union officials are today holding urgent talks over fears that hundreds of firefighters in Greater Manchester could lose their jobs if they don't sign a new contract.

  • Watch: Matt O'Donoghue's report from Tuesday's show

  • Watch: Lucy and Tony interview Greater Manchester Fire Chief Peter O'Reilly

Greater Manchester's fire service has around1250 frontline firefighters.

The service says it has to save £14 million and that these new contracts, which include changes to shift times, will save £10 million.

But the Fire brigades union says the plans are appalling and it says 250 full time jobs will go completely.

Chairman of the Greater Manchester Fire Authority, and former Trafford Labour leader Coun Dave Acton, said there were no alternatives during negotiations and they were working with firefighters.

He said that no notices have been given to anyone and there was no intention to make anyone redundant, with the move only an option if all else failed.

the petition - which 'demands the immediate and complete withdrawal of plans by GMFRS to dismiss all it's firefighters' - has attracted huge support from all over the country with Magdalen Faulds from Bolton saying:

While Chris Hine from Accrington said:

And from Gaz Murphy from London added: