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| Firefighters in Wales strike in pensions row | Firefighters in Wales strike in pensions row |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Crews are in place to tackle 999 callouts when firefighters stage a four-hour strike from noon on Wednesday, fire service chiefs have said. | |
| Military personnel are on standby in south Wales with calls elsewhere prioritised on "protection of life". | Military personnel are on standby in south Wales with calls elsewhere prioritised on "protection of life". |
| However the fire service is urging people to take extra care. | However the fire service is urging people to take extra care. |
| Unions are angry about plans to make members work until they are 60 but UK ministers say a strike is unnecessary and pensions are generous. | Unions are angry about plans to make members work until they are 60 but UK ministers say a strike is unnecessary and pensions are generous. |
| In south Wales the fire service's contingency includes six fire engines staffed by military firefighters placed at bases at Abertillery, Abergavenny, Bridgend, Newport, Pontypridd and two within the Cardiff area, as well as a further support crew. | In south Wales the fire service's contingency includes six fire engines staffed by military firefighters placed at bases at Abertillery, Abergavenny, Bridgend, Newport, Pontypridd and two within the Cardiff area, as well as a further support crew. |
| Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service advised people to take extra care but said it was "fortunate to have a number of operational staff who are not affiliated with the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) and will be working as usual". | Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service advised people to take extra care but said it was "fortunate to have a number of operational staff who are not affiliated with the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) and will be working as usual". |
| North Wales Fire and Rescue Service said it expected a large number of its personnel to take part in the action, which takes place in Wales and England until 16:00 BST on Wednesday. | North Wales Fire and Rescue Service said it expected a large number of its personnel to take part in the action, which takes place in Wales and England until 16:00 BST on Wednesday. |
| The FBU said firefighters would be marching to the Welsh assembly's Senedd building in Cardiff over the pension changes and it is understood there will be picket lines at fire stations across Wales. | The FBU said firefighters would be marching to the Welsh assembly's Senedd building in Cardiff over the pension changes and it is understood there will be picket lines at fire stations across Wales. |
| Councils have issued advice to staff at schools, care homes and sports centres, and held contingency talks with businesses and other agencies in advance of the action. | Councils have issued advice to staff at schools, care homes and sports centres, and held contingency talks with businesses and other agencies in advance of the action. |
| Refinery and energy companies in Pembrokeshire have been asked to ensure they have additional plans in place, while Neath Port Talbot council is reported to have asked businesses not to use angle-grinders during the strike to minimise fire risk from sparks. | Refinery and energy companies in Pembrokeshire have been asked to ensure they have additional plans in place, while Neath Port Talbot council is reported to have asked businesses not to use angle-grinders during the strike to minimise fire risk from sparks. |
| Mid and West Wales assistant chief fire officer Chris Davies said: "Whilst we appreciate the concerns some of our staff have in respect of proposed government cuts to pensions, our number one priority is to ensure public safety by providing the best possible service throughout this period of strike action. | Mid and West Wales assistant chief fire officer Chris Davies said: "Whilst we appreciate the concerns some of our staff have in respect of proposed government cuts to pensions, our number one priority is to ensure public safety by providing the best possible service throughout this period of strike action. |
| "However, there is no avoiding the fact that our emergency response will be slightly reduced during this period. | "However, there is no avoiding the fact that our emergency response will be slightly reduced during this period. |
| "In the event of an emergency, however, the public must still dial 999 and an emergency response will be provided." | "In the event of an emergency, however, the public must still dial 999 and an emergency response will be provided." |
| Under UK government plans firefighters in England will get their full pension at 60. Changes to pensions in Scotland and Wales have yet to be settled. | Under UK government plans firefighters in England will get their full pension at 60. Changes to pensions in Scotland and Wales have yet to be settled. |
| The union said many firefighters would not be able to maintain fitness standards into their late 50s and this would endanger the public. | The union said many firefighters would not be able to maintain fitness standards into their late 50s and this would endanger the public. |
| 'Extremely physical' | 'Extremely physical' |
| Under the plans those retiring early would lose thousands of pounds a year, the FBU argues. | Under the plans those retiring early would lose thousands of pounds a year, the FBU argues. |
| Roger Curran, secretary for the FBU in mid and west Wales, told BBC Radio Wales it was unrealistic to expect firefighters to still be working flat out at 60. | |
| "It's an extremely physical job. How many front-line military personnel do you see running around in Afghanistan? How many police officers between the ages of 50 and 60 do you see running around the streets chasing criminals?" he said. | |
| "You don't - and there is a reason for that. It is not just the physicality of the job, it is also the psychology of the job. | "You don't - and there is a reason for that. It is not just the physicality of the job, it is also the psychology of the job. |
| "It's about the portfolio of distressing events that you build up over years and years, and I think that is an important part that people are missing." | "It's about the portfolio of distressing events that you build up over years and years, and I think that is an important part that people are missing." |
| The Welsh government said public sector pensions had to be "sustainable" but discussions with the FBU continued to be positive and constructive. | The Welsh government said public sector pensions had to be "sustainable" but discussions with the FBU continued to be positive and constructive. |
| A spokesperson said: "Welsh ministers have regularly met the FBU regarding pension issues and have sent a clear message to the FBU of our commitment to public service pension schemes which are affordable, sustainable and fair to all public service workers." | A spokesperson said: "Welsh ministers have regularly met the FBU regarding pension issues and have sent a clear message to the FBU of our commitment to public service pension schemes which are affordable, sustainable and fair to all public service workers." |
| UK Fire Minister Brandon Lewis said: "The government has listened to union concerns - firefighters will still get one of the most generous pension schemes in the public sector." | UK Fire Minister Brandon Lewis said: "The government has listened to union concerns - firefighters will still get one of the most generous pension schemes in the public sector." |