FIREFIGHTERS in England and Wales went out on a 24-hour strike over the massive attacks that are taking place on their pensions.
The walk-out, which started at 09:00 yesterday, is the longest strike yet in the three-year dispute and coincides with the start of the World Cup in Brazil.
At Euston, firefighters were in a determined mood. One of them, Kay, told News Line: ‘The situation is not nice, we are being messed about by the government.’
Fellow FBU member Jess added: ‘The government says that if we stop striking they will negotiate, but talks have been going on for years.
‘They’ve just ignored the report they commissioned that found firefighters couldn’t do the job physically up to when they are sixty.
‘A lot of firefighters would be forced to leave early and lose 47% of their pension. This is while they are raising out pension contributions.
‘Next year they are raising them by 15% which is £1,500-£2,000. We can’t afford to pay that.’
FBU member Paul Godber said: ‘Once all the arguments about pensions, retirement age, contributions and fitness have been taken into account it’s just rude for the employers to renege on their pensions arrangements with their employees.
‘On top of that, the London Fire Brigade faces another round of cuts.
‘I’m quite happy to take further strike action. We have to win, otherwise people will pull out of the scheme.
‘But the main thing is the employer has pulled out of its side of the bargain and you have to stand up against that.’
Norwich firefighters determinedly manned picket lines at three stations.
James Hilton, FBU rep at Sprowston, said ‘We’re standing firm and the fight goes on.’
At Carrow, firefighter Stefan Rider said, ‘Members of the FBU joined the service to protect the public, so removing our service from the public for 24 hours, shows how committed we are to opposing the government’s pension changes.
‘The proposals are unfair and unworkable. I personally only have a one in four chance of actually achieving a full pension under the proposals.
‘The government needs to listen to its own research, and accept that they need to bring in a better offer to the negotiating table.’
There is to be another strike on June 22.
