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Firefighters announce new strike over pensions in England and Wales Firefighters announce new strike over pensions in England and Wales
(about 2 hours later)
Firefighters in England and Wales will strike for five hours on 19 October over pensions, the Fire Brigades Union has said.Firefighters in England and Wales will strike for five hours on 19 October over pensions, the Fire Brigades Union has said.
Firefighters in Scotland will not be taking industrial action after the Scottish government made them a pensions offer the union said was enough to prevent a strike "at the current time".Firefighters in Scotland will not be taking industrial action after the Scottish government made them a pensions offer the union said was enough to prevent a strike "at the current time".
The FBU argues that changes to pensions and the retirement age will mean thousands of firefighters lose their job "simply for getting older".The FBU argues that changes to pensions and the retirement age will mean thousands of firefighters lose their job "simply for getting older".
The union also maintains that firemen and women pay some of the highest pension contributions in the UK at almost 13% of their salary, with further rises due next year.The union also maintains that firemen and women pay some of the highest pension contributions in the UK at almost 13% of their salary, with further rises due next year.
Last month, firefighters across England and Wales walked out on strike and threatened further action if the dispute was not resolved.Last month, firefighters across England and Wales walked out on strike and threatened further action if the dispute was not resolved.
Members of the FBU left their stations and set up picket lines, leaving brigades to put contingency plans into place.Members of the FBU left their stations and set up picket lines, leaving brigades to put contingency plans into place.
Some, including London and Surrey, used private contractors to cover for the strikers, while others relied on retained firefighters and volunteers. Matt Wrack, the union's general secretary, said: "We had hoped our first strike was enough to show government that firefighters could not be more serious about protecting public safety and ensuring fair pensions.Some, including London and Surrey, used private contractors to cover for the strikers, while others relied on retained firefighters and volunteers. Matt Wrack, the union's general secretary, said: "We had hoped our first strike was enough to show government that firefighters could not be more serious about protecting public safety and ensuring fair pensions.
"No firefighter wants to strike, and it's desperately disappointing that governments in Westminster and Cardiff continue to deny reality over pensions costs and the need for a pension scheme that reflects the job firefighters do."No firefighter wants to strike, and it's desperately disappointing that governments in Westminster and Cardiff continue to deny reality over pensions costs and the need for a pension scheme that reflects the job firefighters do.
"Firefighters simply cannot be expected to fight fires and rescue families in their late 50s and into their 60s. We hope this second strike will mean both governments will be willing to discuss the full range of concerns that firefighters and the general public have expressed."Firefighters simply cannot be expected to fight fires and rescue families in their late 50s and into their 60s. We hope this second strike will mean both governments will be willing to discuss the full range of concerns that firefighters and the general public have expressed.
"However, more strikes cannot be ruled out if that's what it takes to protect public and firefighter safety from these ludicrous attacks.""However, more strikes cannot be ruled out if that's what it takes to protect public and firefighter safety from these ludicrous attacks."
He said the union would be happy to meet politicians in the next few days to discuss the issue.He said the union would be happy to meet politicians in the next few days to discuss the issue.
Ron Dobson, London's fire commissioner, said there would be 27 fire engines "based at strategic points across London, ready to provide an emergency back-up fire service".
"They won't deal with minor incidents like bin fires or automatic fire alarms, but will attend serious emergencies like large fires and road traffic accidents," he said.
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