MEETINGS are being held to give South Yorkshire firefighters the chance to discuss plans to change the starting and finishing times of their shifts.
The Fire Brigades Union says there is "growing anger" among fire crews at plans to make them work four 12-hour shifts in a row instead of two nine-hour days followed by two 15-hour nights.
Crews claim there is little to be gained from the changes
but it will disrupt family life, especially for firefighters with childcare commitments.
Firefighters have also demanded to know why there was no consultation before the proposal was announced to members of the Authority's Fire Authority.
John Gilliver, chairman of the South Yorkshire branch of the FBU, said: "These plans came out of the blue despite national agreements about having 'no surprises'.
"There is growing anger from firefighters across the county at the threats to impose contractual changes without any negotiation.
"During last year's floods councillors and managers were applauding our commitment and praising our work. It is a disgrace that managers are now rewarding us by kicking us in the teeth.
"Managers are going out of their way to seek confrontation and not negotiation. They are behaving like dictators rather than professional public sector managers.''
Firefighters have already met in Sheffield and Doncaster and are due to meet at Barnsley fire station tonight and at Rotherham tomorrow.
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