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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
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| New firefighters' strike action over pensions begins | New firefighters' strike action over pensions begins |
| (34 minutes later) | |
| Firefighters in England and Wales have begun a new series of strikes in a long-running pensions row. | |
| Fire Brigades Union members walked out at noon for two hours and will walk out again for an hour at 22:59 BST. | Fire Brigades Union members walked out at noon for two hours and will walk out again for an hour at 22:59 BST. |
| Strikes will be held at the same times each day until 16 August. | |
| The government has accused the FBU of an "illogical" approach, but the union accused it of "walking away" from talks after the new fire minister cancelled a planned meeting. | The government has accused the FBU of an "illogical" approach, but the union accused it of "walking away" from talks after the new fire minister cancelled a planned meeting. |
| Union leaders said they had been due to meet Penny Mordaunt on Thursday, with FBU assistant general secretary Andy Dark saying she had "scuppered an opportunity to find a solution". | Union leaders said they had been due to meet Penny Mordaunt on Thursday, with FBU assistant general secretary Andy Dark saying she had "scuppered an opportunity to find a solution". |
| 'Unacceptably high' | 'Unacceptably high' |
| Firefighters have already held walkouts over ministers' plans to raise their retirement age from 55 to 60 and increase their pension contributions, with the first taking place last September. | Firefighters have already held walkouts over ministers' plans to raise their retirement age from 55 to 60 and increase their pension contributions, with the first taking place last September. |
| The union says it fears many members could fail the fitness tests required to remain on active duty in their late 50s and have to leave the service as a result. | The union says it fears many members could fail the fitness tests required to remain on active duty in their late 50s and have to leave the service as a result. |
| The FBU also said proposals would mean that if firefighters opted for early retirement, the reduction in their pension would be "unacceptably high". | The FBU also said proposals would mean that if firefighters opted for early retirement, the reduction in their pension would be "unacceptably high". |
| But the government says the deal on offer is fair. | But the government says the deal on offer is fair. |
| Fire brigades will put contingency plans in place during the industrial action, including the use of contract staff, but fewer fire engines will be available. | Fire brigades will put contingency plans in place during the industrial action, including the use of contract staff, but fewer fire engines will be available. |