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Firefighters stage four-hour strike in pensions row Firefighters stage four-hour strike in pensions row
(35 minutes later)
Firefighters in England and Wales have staged a four-hour strike in a dispute over pensions.Firefighters in England and Wales have staged a four-hour strike in a dispute over pensions.
The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) said it was a "warning shot" to government over plans to make members work up to 60.The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) said it was a "warning shot" to government over plans to make members work up to 60.
Ministers said the action was unnecessary and called the pension offer "generous".Ministers said the action was unnecessary and called the pension offer "generous".
Each of the 46 local fire services in England and three in Wales had contingency plans to provide cover and 999 calls were answered.Each of the 46 local fire services in England and three in Wales had contingency plans to provide cover and 999 calls were answered.
Firefighters in Scotland did not join the strike but could take action at a later date.Firefighters in Scotland did not join the strike but could take action at a later date.
The FBU said 32,000 of its 41,000 members took part in the strike. The members who did not strike had been either off duty or sick, the union said.The FBU said 32,000 of its 41,000 members took part in the strike. The members who did not strike had been either off duty or sick, the union said.
The contingency arrangements varied. In some areas non-unionised fire crews stepped in and greater use was made of part-time and volunteer firefighters. FBU general secretary Matt Wrack said the strike demonstrated his members' "anger and their determination".
"This strike was a last resort after the government refused to negotiate - and a warning shot that firefighters are serious about keeping a fair, safe and workable pensions scheme," he said.
"Firefighters across the country are reporting a fantastic response from the public, who seem to understand that the government's proposals on pensions are ludicrous.
"We haven't ruled out further industrial action, but let's hope common sense wins out, public safety is put first and the government comes back open to compromise."
Contingency arrangements for the strike varied across the country. In some areas non-unionised fire crews stepped in and greater use was made of part-time and volunteer firefighters.
Private contractors were used by a handful of services, including in London and Surrey.Private contractors were used by a handful of services, including in London and Surrey.
The armed forces had a back-up role and in the event of a major incident union members could return to work. The armed forces had a back-up role and in the event of a major incident union members could have returned to work.
'Completely unjust''Completely unjust'
Ahead of the strike, Ian Hayton, chief fire officer from Cleveland Fire Brigade, said he had extra resources available in the case of a major incident.
"We've got the opportunity to call in our neighbouring brigades, to call in their resources," he told the BBC.
"There is a military reserve I can call upon in relation to major incidents as well."
Paul Fuller, head of the Bedfordshire Fire Service, warned it would not be "business as usual".
"While we will be able to respond to emergency incidents, the response we would expect to be rather slower than the public would normally expect," he said.
Steven Binn, a firefighter from Bradford, told the BBC he was "reluctantly taking part" in the industrial action.Steven Binn, a firefighter from Bradford, told the BBC he was "reluctantly taking part" in the industrial action.
"Everyone has to work longer these days and I can see how it's unfair for us to retire earlier than other emergency workers," he said."Everyone has to work longer these days and I can see how it's unfair for us to retire earlier than other emergency workers," he said.
"However, if a person has worked as a firefighter for a long period of time, they aren't really able to do any other jobs.""However, if a person has worked as a firefighter for a long period of time, they aren't really able to do any other jobs."
Chris Smith, a retained firefighter from Hull did not go on strike.
"The incidents of fires are reducing as are accidents and the number of call-outs are reducing yearly, so it should not be as stressful or fitness demanding," he said.
"Our community comes first - we will not be striking."
The FBU claims many firefighters will not be fit enough to work to the retirement age of 60, and says they could lose thousands of pounds a year if they retire early.The FBU claims many firefighters will not be fit enough to work to the retirement age of 60, and says they could lose thousands of pounds a year if they retire early.
FBU general secretary Matt Wrack told BBC Radio 4 Today's programme the government's plans were unworkable as older firefighters were at risk of failing fitness tests. Mr Wrack told BBC Radio 4 Today's programme the government's plans were unworkable as older firefighters were at risk of failing fitness tests.
"They won't be able to get their pension and therefore they will be forced out of a job, possibly dismissed on capability," he said. "We think that's completely unjust." "It is ludicrous to expect firefighters to fight fires and rescue families in their late-50s; the lives of the general public and firefighters themselves will be endangered," he said.
He said this initial strike was a "warning shot to government".
"It is ludicrous to expect firefighters to fight fires, and rescue families, in their late-50s; the lives of the general public and firefighters themselves will be endangered.
"None of us want a strike but we cannot compromise on public and firefighter safety."
The government says the offer to firefighters is one of the "most generous in the public sector" and brings their pension age into line with the police and armed forces.The government says the offer to firefighters is one of the "most generous in the public sector" and brings their pension age into line with the police and armed forces.
Brandon Lewis, fire minister for England, said: "Now that the Fire Brigades Union is pressing ahead with this unnecessary and avoidable strike, maintaining public safety is our first priority. Brandon Lewis, fire minister for England, said prior to the strike: "Now that the Fire Brigades Union is pressing ahead with this unnecessary and avoidable strike, maintaining public safety is our first priority.
"I can reassure the public that all fire and rescue authorities in England and Wales have robust contingency plans in place."I can reassure the public that all fire and rescue authorities in England and Wales have robust contingency plans in place.
"Incidents and call-outs are at an historical low - but in the event of a fire, the advice to people remains the same: 'Get out, stay out and call 999'; you will get an emergency response.""Incidents and call-outs are at an historical low - but in the event of a fire, the advice to people remains the same: 'Get out, stay out and call 999'; you will get an emergency response."
A spokesman for the Department for Communities and Local Government said: "The government will be closely monitoring the situation throughout and has a strategic back-up it can deploy if needed."
Labour leader Ed Miliband urged unions and the government to get "round the table" to resolve the conflict.Labour leader Ed Miliband urged unions and the government to get "round the table" to resolve the conflict.
"What government should be doing is not ramping up the rhetoric but getting round the table with the firefighters to try and prevent this happening and sort it out," he told Sky News."What government should be doing is not ramping up the rhetoric but getting round the table with the firefighters to try and prevent this happening and sort it out," he told Sky News.