AS a serving firefighter in Greater Manchester, and a resident of Bury, I feel it is my duty to respond to the damning remarks of Councillor Alan Matthews (Return of the Goddess, Bury Times, Oct 25).

Coun Matthews is quoting the many inaccurate reports on the current pay dispute. Instead of finding out the facts he is spreading erroneous propaganda. By calling them "silly", not only does he insult these very committed and professional people who do far more than sit around drinking tea and playing cards (like saving lives and property to name but two) but he then goes on to say that we are being "selfish and don't care about the welfare of the public".

Not one Fire Brigades Union member has taken the decision to strike lightly; don't forget that my loved ones, friends and neighbours are also at risk during any strike action that I might take. The FBU have gone cap in hand to the employers and the Government of this country and, in the words of Oliver, have asked "Please sir, can we have some more?" to which we have received a resounding "No"! What other option do we have?

We can be walked all over or we can fight for what we believe is right, and set a precedent for other public sector workers who have been walked all over for far too long. There was no such thing as the Baine Review until there was the threat of strike action, and almost certainly the General Secretary of the FBU would not now be talking to the Deputy Prime Minister had this not been the case. This alone surely proves that action speaks louder than words.

May I cast Coun Matthews' mind back to 1997, when three appliances were lost to the fire cover review of that year, and again this year, under the new buzz words of "Best Value", the loss of eight more front line fire appliances and the downgrading of Mossley Fire Station to day-staffing is on the cards. Is this the action of a fire authority which cares for the public? I think not.

It is funny that "Best Value" always seems to mean cuts to an already stretched service, and never an increase in its resources. And the public should note that these cuts to their fire service have always been vigorously defended by the "militant" FBU members.

Coun Matthews points out that we "already receive pay in line with police officers and better than many doctors and nurses". Well, it may be true that we earn a little more than some nurses but I've yet to meet a doctor who earns less than a firefighter.

And as for comparisons with police officers, a qualified firefighter after four years will earn approximately £21,500 and a police officer £24,000. After 15 years a firefighter can expect a salary of around £22,500 and a police officer £29,000 (figures taken from the Bedfordshire police force website). A firefighter works a 42-hour week, and a police officer a basic 36.2.

I quote these figures not to inflame a war of words between public sector workers (the police, ambulance staff and nurses, amongst others, all deserve more pay) but to lay to rest the bare-faced lies that this Government are spreading.

So come on Coun Matthews, if you are going to comment on an issue which so deeply concerns the public, at least tell them the truth.

Finally, regarding these "selfish and uncaring firefighters", it was good to see yet another firefighter featured in the Bury Times (Oct 25) raising funds for people less fortunate than ourselves. Well done Mark Bamford. When was the last time you read about a councillor doing similar for somebody else without any benefit to themselves?

J. MITCHELL,

Chadderton Fire Station,

Oldham..