Firefighters announce fresh strike

Members of the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) will walk out for four hours from 10am on November 13 – their fourth round of strikes in recent weeks.

The union also announced that it will ballot its members for other forms of industrial action in an escalation of the dispute.

Firemen and women walked out on Monday and last Friday in their row over what will happen to firefighters who fail fitness tests as their retirement age is moved from 55 to 60.

The union fears there will be job losses if firefighters are not offered other work in the service.

FBU general secretary Matt Wrack said: “Our members enter burning buildings for a living, and will not be intimidated by the Government’s decision to worsen their proposals. The Government’s latest attack will simply harden their resolve.

“Ministers continue to ignore the professional, evidence-based case we have presented over the past three years and refuse to establish an affordable occupational pension scheme which reflects the occupation of firefighting.

“Although we still hope the Government returns to negotiations, our members have told us that they are prepared for a long, hard campaign if necessary. As a result, we are now balloting for further forms of industrial action.

“The fire and rescue service is totally reliant on the goodwill of firefighters on the front line. Many are now performing additional duties and additional hours as a result of central government funding cuts.

“There is precious little goodwill left in view of these attacks and I am confident that will be reflected in this further vote.”