This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-27267109

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Third consecutive day of fire strikes on Sunday Third consecutive day of fire strikes on Sunday
(about 4 hours later)
Firefighters across Wales are staging a third consecutive day of strike action in a row over pensions. Firefighters across Wales have staged a third consecutive day of strike action in a row over pensions.
They are holding a five-hour walkout on Sunday, which follows a 12-hour strike on Saturday and industrial action on Friday. Crews held a five-hour walkout on Sunday, which followed a 12-hour strike on Saturday and industrial action on Friday.
Sunday's strike runs from 10:00 to 15:00 BST. Sunday's strike ran from 10:00 to 15:00 BST.
The UK government said firefighters had one of the most generous pension schemes in the public sector.The UK government said firefighters had one of the most generous pension schemes in the public sector.
Firefighters have taken action after UK government plans to raise their retirement age from 55 to 60 and increase pension contributions.Firefighters have taken action after UK government plans to raise their retirement age from 55 to 60 and increase pension contributions.
Senior fire officers criticised those who started deliberate fires during Saturday's walkout and urged the public to take care over the bank holiday weekend.Senior fire officers criticised those who started deliberate fires during Saturday's walkout and urged the public to take care over the bank holiday weekend.
Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue had to tackle two deliberate fires, at Pembroke Dock and on the car park of the Liberty Stadium, Swansea.Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue had to tackle two deliberate fires, at Pembroke Dock and on the car park of the Liberty Stadium, Swansea.
'Negotiations''Negotiations'
Firefighters were also called to a report of an elderly female stuck in mud in Johnstown, Carmarthen.Firefighters were also called to a report of an elderly female stuck in mud in Johnstown, Carmarthen.
In north Wales, chief fire officer Simon Smith said "resources were stretched unnecessarily" with crews having to attend one suspected deliberate fire, although no further details were given.In north Wales, chief fire officer Simon Smith said "resources were stretched unnecessarily" with crews having to attend one suspected deliberate fire, although no further details were given.
"Again we managed the reduction in the resources that we had at our disposal well," he said."Again we managed the reduction in the resources that we had at our disposal well," he said.
The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) has held a series of short strikes across Wales and England since September, claiming firefighters should be allowed to retire earlier than other workers from such a physically demanding job.The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) has held a series of short strikes across Wales and England since September, claiming firefighters should be allowed to retire earlier than other workers from such a physically demanding job.
Matt Wrack, FBU general secretary, said: "After three years of negotiations and an intense four months presenting an indisputable, evidence-based case for the need to ensure a pension scheme that takes into account the unique occupation of firefighting, the government is still burying its head in the sand."Matt Wrack, FBU general secretary, said: "After three years of negotiations and an intense four months presenting an indisputable, evidence-based case for the need to ensure a pension scheme that takes into account the unique occupation of firefighting, the government is still burying its head in the sand."
A spokesman for the Department of Communities and Local Government said: "The deal on the table gives firefighters one of the most generous pension schemes in all the public sector, and the proposals protect the earned rights of a higher proportion of members than any other public sector scheme.A spokesman for the Department of Communities and Local Government said: "The deal on the table gives firefighters one of the most generous pension schemes in all the public sector, and the proposals protect the earned rights of a higher proportion of members than any other public sector scheme.
"Nearly three-quarters will see no change in their pension age in 2015.""Nearly three-quarters will see no change in their pension age in 2015."