Firefighters vote resoundingly for strike action in row over pension reform

Members of the Fire Brigades’ Union (fbu) backed industrial action by 18,277 votes to 5,166.

The union said planned changes to pensions were “unaffordable and unworkable”, would impose an increase in members’ contributions and also put firefighters at greater risk of dismissal without access to a proper pension if they cannot maintain fitness standards as they approach the retirement age of 60.

FBU general secretary Matt Wrack said: “Expecting large numbers of 60-year-olds to fight fires and rescue families is dangerous to the public and to firefighters.

“The Government is simply ignoring the evidence about the physical demands of firefighting and has been unable to answer our concerns during two years of negotiations. None of us want a strike, but we cannot compromise on public and firefighter safety.”

The union did not set strike dates, which could come within weeks, and said it will seek further talks with ministers and fire service employers to resolve the dispute.

Bosses at Humberside Fire and Rescue Service said they were “disappointed” by the result, but understood the union’s concerns.

“However, the safety of our communities must come first and I am disappointed that members of the union have chosen to take this route,” said Deputy Chief Fire Officer Dene Sanders.

“We have robust plans in place to continue to provide an emergency response service. However, this will be at a much reduced level to what our communities have come to expect.

“This will be a challenging time for us but we feel confident in 
our plans and remain focused on the period post-action and managing the smooth return to normality.”

Fire Minister Brandon Lewis said: “The pension on offer to firefighters is one of the most generous in the public sector. The FBU is creating a smokescreen around the issues of fitness and retirement age to justify their behaviour whilst ignoring the facts.”