Firefighters strike again

Submitted by AWL on 10 June, 2014 - 3:33

Firefighters in England and Wales will strike again on Thursday 12 June over attacks on their pensions, after the government said it would implement a new pension scheme without further negotiations with the Fire Brigades Union (FBU).

The strike begins at 9am and lasts for 24 hours, and will be followed by a further day’s strike from 10am on Saturday 21 June. In between the two strikes, firefighters will not carry out any voluntary overtime or conduct training for scabs. The FBU has also said that in cases where fire authorities lock out or dock additional pay from firefighters, members in other brigades will refuse to provide cross-border fire cover.

The FBU’s executive council decided to organise further strikes last week after further meetings with fire minister Brandon Lewis. On 23 May, the minister opened a “consultation” on their proposals, trying to end discussions with the FBU over the scheme. The government has refused to publish alternative proposals drawn up in March, which may have provided a way forward.

Under the government’s proposals, firefighters who are forced to retire before the age of 60 as a result of ageing will have half of their pension deducted. The government’s own “Williams Report” found that more than half of firefighters would be unable to maintain operational fitness until 60.

The two strikes will be the thirteenth and fourteenth over pensions, in a dispute which began in September last year. They represent a further escalation of strike action in an increasing bitter dispute. This anger should feed and fortify other workers taking action in the next month.

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