MSP Liam McArthur (Orkney) (Scottish Liberal Democrats) has today tabled a motion within the Scottish Parliament raising his concern over the removal of the working time directive opt-out and its affect on Retained Firefighters within the region. The RFU has written to all MSPs asking for their support in overturning the decision by MEPs to remove the opt-out.
S3M-03351 Liam McArthur (Orkney) (Scottish Liberal Democrats): Retained Firefighters and the Working Time Directive Opt-out— That the Parliament notes with regret the vote by the European Parliament on 17 December 2008 in favour of removing Britain’s working time directive opt-out; also notes with serious concern the effect that the removal of the opt-out will have on retained firefighters across Scotland and the consequences that it may have for public health and safety; further notes that of 391 fire stations across Scotland 321 are staffed by 3,429 retained firefighters; notes the valuable service that these volunteer firefighters provide to their communities and that the Retained Firefighters Union opposes the removal of the opt-out; considers that, if the opt-out is removed and Retained Duty System (RDS) fire stations are proven unviable under the working time directive, 91% of the United Kingdom will lose valuable emergency fire cover, and notes the serious and potentially fatal consequences that the removal will have on communities across Scotland.
