Mumbai Fire Brigade attended 18 calls, even as they sat in protest all day yesterday over pay scale, overtime, and more

They made their point, but without stalling any work.

Over 120 personnel of the Mumbai Fire Brigade, who staged a remonstration at Azad Maidan over what they think is unjust and unequal pay, did not let their anger with authorities stop them from doing their job.

They attended work and averted disasters across the city. The protest was one of its kind because none of the protesters bunked work or relinquished duty.

Instead, all of them finished their eight-hour shift and then came and joined the daylong protest, after going on some 18 calls (see box).

Chief Fire Officer Uday Tatkare claimed that no action could be taken, as the firemen didn't do anything against protocol. But he didn't agree with the firemen's demands, and called them unfeasible.

"The issues raised by the firemen are unreasonable and impractical. The firemen are asking for overtime, not just for an 8-hour job but also for a complete 24-hour cycle.

What the firemen want is equal pay without taking into consideration the designation of respective officers," he said.

S S Shinde, joint municipal commissioner, said, "We won't be taking any action against the protesting firemen as they first finished their work and then went to protest at Azad Maidan."

Why the strike

The reason for today's protest can be traced back to the year 2000. In the month of July, the Mumbai Fire Brigade remained closed for 72 days, demanding equal pay for firemen without considering their designation.
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At this time, 15 staff members were suspended.

The case was dealt with by the labour court and then was passed to the High Court, which gave it back, saying it is the former's responsibility. The case is still pending before the labour court.

Secretary of Mumbai Fire Fighting Association, Ravindra Ghosalkar, said, "This entire agitation is an intimation to the administrative authorities to solve our problems at the earliest."

Of the alleged wrongs by authorities and the firemen's demands, he said, "Higher officials use government vehicles for personal purposes. They are corrupt and partial.

On the other hand, no personal security of any kind has been given to firemen. We have not been granted any medical benefits."

He continued, "The norm stating that promotion should be granted only after a period of 12 years of service should be abolished."

Another fireman from Dahisar said, "We have a list of unfulfilled demands that has been standing for the past 20 years. But nothing concrete has been done. The promotions are completely on the basis of qualification.

How can you expect a 50-year-old to undergo a training session at this age? It is just not possible."

Call of duty
The firemen took some 18 emergency calls in the first half of the day.

In the Island city
1)8:25 am: NM Joshi Marg
2)8:35 am: Mahalaxmi Road
3)8:56 am: BA Road, Central Railway Quarters
4)9:08 am: LT Road
5)9:36 am: Opp KEM Hospital
6)10:48 am: St Mary Road
7)11:50 am: JSS Road
8)2:05 pm: Prabhadevi Road
9)2:27 pm: P D'mello Road