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Firefighters to strike over eight days in August - FBU Firefighters to strike over eight days in August - FBU
(35 minutes later)
Firefighters in England and Wales are to stage a fresh series of strikes over eight days in an ongoing row over pensions, the Fire Brigades Union says. Firefighters in England and Wales are to strike over eight consecutive days in an ongoing row with the government, the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) says.
The strikes, from 9 August, will be held for a few hours each day over eight consecutive days, it said. The latest action, from 9 August, will be held over three hours each day during the eight-day period, it said.
The union has said government reforms will see firefighters working for longer and having their pensions cut. The union has said "unsafe and unrealistic" proposals will see firefighters working longer and having their pensions cut.
The government has previously said the deal on offer was "one of the most generous" in the public sector. The government says the offer is among the most generous in the public sector.
It is the latest in a series of strikes by firefighters in England and Wales in a three-year dispute with the government. The strikes will take place from 9 August until 16 August, from 12:00-14:00 and 22:59-23:59 BST, the union said.
It is the latest in a series of strikes by firefighters in England and Wales in a three-year dispute.
No industrial action would be taken in Scotland and Northern Ireland, where improved pension proposals are being discussed, the union added.
Fitness test fearsFitness test fears
The row centres on ministers' plans to raise firefighters' retirement age from 55 to 60 and increase their pension contributions.The row centres on ministers' plans to raise firefighters' retirement age from 55 to 60 and increase their pension contributions.
The FBU said it feared many members could fail the fitness tests required to remain on active duty in their late 50s, and therefore have to leave the service.The FBU said it feared many members could fail the fitness tests required to remain on active duty in their late 50s, and therefore have to leave the service.
But the government said the deal on offer was fair. It said proposals would also mean that if firefighters opted for early retirement, the reduction in their pension would be "unacceptably high".
However, the government has said the deal on offer was fair.
FBU general secretary Matt Wrack said it was "absolutely ludicrous that a government can impose a scheme which means that firefighters will have to ride engines and rescue people from fires up to the age of 60".
"This is unsafe and unrealistic for both firefighters and the public.
"We know it, and the public know it, but the government will not listen to the evidence-based case we have made to them," he added.
The union asked for "flexible retirement options" to be included in an improved offer.