Am I missing something here? The crews didn't want to give out any leaflets so they are going to be disciplined



Four firefighters are due before a disciplinary hearing over their refusal to hand out leaflets at a gay pride march in Glasgow.

Another five men who are also based at the city's Cowcaddens fire station had their cases considered last month.

All nine will be told later whether the fire brigade plans to take action.

Some of the men were opposed to attending the event on religious grounds while others did not think it was part of their core duties.

However, gay rights campaigners argue that firefighters are public servants who cannot be seen to discriminate.

The firefighters were reported by superior officers after the Pride Scotia march in June for disobeying orders.

A spokesman for Strathclyde Fire and Rescue confirmed Monday was expected to be the final day of the hearing and that it would then take senior officers several days before deciding what action to take.

F*** that, if I was one of them and the Brigade pulled this I'd walk.

It's their right to refuse as far as I'm concerned.

True, but if they're paying your wages.

Whether the gay community pay your wages or otherwise, why should those involved be disciplined for refusing to become a gay icon? I'd challenge any disciplinary hearing as being a violation of the firefighters human rights. Its not like they're refusing to attend a homosexual fire or RTC is it!

Exactly.

Not trying to sound like a homophobe, but why is it that gays have to have a march to say that they are gay and to raise awareness? I don't see any straight people having march's to raise awareness of their lifestyle!

James, you're right, and a lot of people agree, but in the current climate don't say anything.

Positive discrimination and all that.

Amen Rob

Thats because if we did, we'd all be labelled as Homophobic.

Im afraid Positive Discrimination is now far more common than racism ever was.


Luckily for me 'I am the only gay in the village'!!!!!! well only if it helps on a civil service application form!!!

Nine firefighters who refused to offer safety advice to people attending a gay pride march have been disciplined.

A watch manager in Glasgow has been demoted to crew manager with a £5,000 salary cut. The remaining firefighters were given a written warning.

Strathclyde Fire and Rescue said all nine would undergo diversity training.

A spokesman said: "The nine now accept that they should have performed their duties. Their refusal was a fundamental breach of their core responsibilities."

The nine firefighters are based at Cowcaddens and were asked to distribute community safety advice to people attending the Pride Scotia festival in George Square on 24 June.

The fire service spokesman said: "Firefighters cannot, and will not, pick and choose to whom they offer fire safety advice.

"Strathclyde Fire and Rescue has a responsibility to protect every one of the 2.3m people it serves, irrespective of race, religion or sexuality."

The Fire Brigades Union in Scotland said it would be waiting until the individual members had been contacted before commenting.

Chairman Roddy Robertson said one option for the men would be to appeal against the verdict.

Mr Robertson said: "With any disciplinary outcome, it could be subject to an appeal.

"But we have to wait until the members have been contacted.

"We would be unable to comment until the disciplinary process has been exhausted.

"If the members don't wish to proceed, then we can make a comment."

Before the hearings started last month, Mr Robertson said the issue had been "highly controversial".

Some of the firefighters involved had argued it would be embarrassing for them to turn up in uniform to the Pride Scotia event, while others claimed it would contradict their moral beliefs.

The decision to discipline the firefighters was described by the Roman Catholic Church as "dismaying".

Archbishop Mario Conti of Glasgow said: "We have followed this case with concern.

"They were asked, while in uniform, to hand out leaflets during a demonstration where they had legitimate concerns about being the subject of taunts and jokes, and in which in some cases, their religious sensibilities would have been grossly offended by people dressed as priests and nuns lampooning the Church."

He added: "That the officers concerned are being forced to undergo diversity training is alarming. The duty to obey one's conscience is a higher duty than that of obeying orders."

Too right Priority.

Everywhere you go now, you see white british heterosexual males being discriminated against.

Funnily enough, on my application form i'm a Buddhist!