Hi Tony.
Am still puzzled, like you.
If the answer is 'press officers', then I have got this far:
'people' = 'press' (crowd/throng)
'at the weekend' = 'off' (work)
??? = 'icers'
'them taking a firm line' = 'press officers' (i.e. people who speak the company line/policy).
Off for supper now. I hope someone cracks the clue for you in the meantime!
JimC