THE FBU is escalating its strike action tonight with four days of action in England beginning at 6pm in the sharpening fight over pensions.
The strike continues until 6pm on 4 November.
The FBU says that this round of strike action follows a refusal from the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) ‘to bring any new offer to the table over pensions, despite two months of talks’.
Matt Wrack, FBU general secretary, said: ‘Firefighters are incandescent following two months of negotiations which have led to no new proposals.
‘Firefighters will not stand by and see our members’ pension rights destroyed by a government which does not give a damn about the safety or wellbeing of firefighters in the long term.
‘The public do not want 60-year-olds tackling fires. Everyone understands the stupidity of these plans – except government Ministers.
‘We remain committed to resolving this dispute in the interests of our members and the public at large.’
Under government proposals, firefighters will have to work until they are 60 instead of 55, pay more into their pensions and ultimately get less in retirement.
Due to the rigorous fitness requirements of the fire service, many firefighters are expected to be unable to work to 60 and therefore risk losing half of their pension.
The FBU said: ‘The public will also be put at risk with every likelihood that increasing numbers of 60-year-old firefighters will be attending the most serious of incidents.’
Wrack added: ‘The fact the Westminster government now stands alone in this dispute shows they are ignoring all the evidence and spoiling for a fight. They do not care about firefighters or the fire and rescue service.’
