Labour and trade union movement news

Escalation of FBU strikes

Information from a Fire Brigades Union press release, Friday 24 October 2014

Firefighters call four days of strike action to protect pensions and public safety

Firefighters 'incandescent' after Westminster government refuses to improve pension plans

Firefighters today announced a significant escalation of strike action, with four days of strikes commencing on 31 October until 4 November.

This 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.

The strike will begin at 18:00 on 31 October and end at 18:00 on 4 November.

Matt Wrack, FBU general secretary, said: "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 or the long term.

"The public do not want 60 year olds tackling fires. Everyone understands the stupidity of these plans - except government ministers."

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.

Firefighters in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales have been given new proposals to consider, but not those in England.

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