FIREFIGHTERS were on strike again yesterday between 10am and 3pm over government attacks on their pensions, while Tube workers are due to strike for three days from 9pm tonight in defence of jobs and ticket offices.
It was the third consecutive day of FBU strike action after strikes between noon and 5pm on Friday and 2pm and 2am on Saturday, and the 12th period since the dispute began.
Matt Wrack, FBU general secretary, said: ‘Yet again firefighters have shown the strength of their anger over government attacks on their pensions and have been united in standing up for a fair, workable and affordable deal.
‘It’s very disappointing that we’ve been forced to hold another three days of strikes but nothing will deflect firefighters’ resolve when the future of their families, and the fire and rescue service itself, are at stake.
‘Just like the current bout of industrial action, future strikes could be avoided simply by the government honouring current pension promises and releasing proposals for the future that reflect the discussions we’ve held over the last three years and take account of the evidence we have presented about our occupation.
‘Surely it’s now time for their games to stop and common sense to prevail?’
Firefighters have several concerns over the government’s pensions proposals.
Among them are
• Firefighters face the risk of the sack simply because their fitness declines as they get older.
• Anyone who wants to or must retire after 55 faces losing almost 50% of their pension.
Meanwhile, RMT acting general secretary Mick Cash said on Friday: ‘RMT negotiators worked flat out today at ACAS to try and reach an agreement which could allow for a suspension of the action and late this afternoon we had a workable framework which could have triggered that suspension.
‘However, right at the death, LU changed tack and lobbed in a hand grenade, demanding not a suspension of the action but that the entire dispute be called off, pre-empting the outcome of the next stage of the process and imposing a condition that they knew we could never agree to.
‘I am angry and bitterly disappointed that a deal which could have allowed for a suspension of tube strike action has been wrecked at the last minute and we suspect the intervention of the Mayor who seems hell-bent on using this dispute to further his own political objective of leading the Tory Party.
‘It is a cynical and politically motivated move that means that avoidable action now goes ahead as our members continue the fight for jobs, services and safety.’
