United Kingdom - Fire brigade leaders today called on the government to act swiftly after it emerged that up to 1,000 Northern Ireland firefighters' jobs could go if a European Union directive is imposed on the UK. Campaigners claim that moves to force Britain to adopt the European Working Time Directive would leave the part-time, retained fire service "unviable", because it would be illegal for anyone to work for more than 48 hours a week.

The service has over 1,000 retained firefighters currently, many of whom hold down full-time day jobs on top of their commitment to the service.

The UK has long been granted an "opt-out" to the directive, but, following a vote by the European Parliament, this opt-out is due to be scrapped in 2012. It would mean that many retained firefighters would be unable to legally juggle both jobs.

However, today, the Fire Brigades Union urged the government to ensure the UK opt-out clause is maintained so retained firefighters will be able to continue working legally for both the fires service and in their primary employment.

Executive council member of the FBU Jim Barbour said: "There is a concern locally that many part-time retained officers will have to go.

"We would be in favour of a retention of a collective opt out for members and we would call on politicians here, whether that is through the Assembly, at Westminster or the European Parliament, to ensure that happens. We are looking at radical financial implications. A decision being made as soon as April would mean that the part-time officers no longer able to work would have to be replaced with full-time firefighters and this would take a huge amount of time and money and it isn't possible to do that.

"It would mean a complete overhaul of the budget and in the current financial climate it just isn't possible."

Westminster Employment Minister Pat McFadden admitted it would have an impact on the service.

He told the MPs: "On the working hours of retained firefighters, my information is that about 10% of firefighters who work in the retained duty system already work 49 hours or more for their primary employer, and a further 25% work between 41 and 48 hours.

Of the 68 fire stations in Northern Ireland, 46 are staffed on a purely retained basis.

It is not clear how many of the retained firefighters would be forced to quit, as some may only work a low number of hours in their day jobs and be on retainer for a quiet fire station, but it is expected to have a significant impact.

Alistair Carmichael, the Liberal Democrats' Northern Ireland spokesman, said: "The position of retained firefighters is an excellent example of how the working time directive could have a very severe effect on one of the most important public services.

"This is particularly acute in rural areas, but will affect communities the length and breadth of the UK, both rural and urban. The working time directive would be a threat to the viability of this service."

A Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service spokeswoman said: "Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service (NIFRS) is currently considering the implications of the changes to the Working Time Directive.

"Once again, a European Directive has largely overlooked the effect on the fire and rescue service and, in particular, on the retained service who provide a significant portion of cover throughout the UK." (c) 2009 Belfast Telegraph. Provided by ProQuest LLC. All rights Reserved.

Written by Sam Lister and Lisa Smith