Firefighters strike tonight in lead up to bonfire night
There will be a further two firefighters strikes in the run up to bonfire night in the increasingly bitter pensions dispute between The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) and the Government.
This evening (Friday 1 November) firefighters across the UK will walkout between 6pm and 11pm.
A second walkout scheduled on Monday (4 November) between 6am and 8am.
Devon and Somerset fire and rescue service has asked people to be extra careful during the strike and several services across the country have asked that people cancel individual fireworks displays during the strike times.
Chief Fire Officer for Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Service, Lee Howell, said: “Fire and Rescue Services have contingency plans and ours will again be put into place ahead of this date for industrial action.
“The majority of our stations will be available. Our plans worked well during the first period of action, but we are asking the public to help us again by taking extra care. We will continue to respond to 999 calls and do everything we can to keep the public safe.”
Fire services have maintained the position that that the dispute is between the unions and the government.
A strike was averted earlier this month when the Government and fire employers met with unions to negotiate.
At these discussions the Government revised its previous position on firefighters pensions acknowledging that some faced losing their jobs and a portion of their pensions in the changes to pensions brought in last April.
The FBU has claimed that despite some progress in discussions the next round of strike action is down to the government failing to provide any guarantees that address this problem.
Matt Wrack, FBU general secretary said: “The FBU has been very reasonable, but we are now faced with broken promises and those in power evading their responsibilities. The Westminster government has created this mess, but it is refusing to clear it up. It now recognises the problem, but it won’t provide the legal and financial guarantees firefighters need to ensure they have a job and an unreduced pension in the future.
“The government is now making threats to withdraw some of the other concessions they have made this year. Their own Williams report shows most firefighters cannot work beyond 55. They are trying to bludgeon firefighters into an unworkable pension scheme. We are not prepared to be bullied.
“Firefighters don’t want to go on strike, but we are left with no option when the government and the employers refuse to deal with the problems of their own making.”
Fire Minister, Brandon Lewis hasargued that the FBU has been too quick to act. Mr Lewis said: “This strike action is completely unnecessary and we are disappointed by the FBU’s decision, which does nothing but damage the good reputation of the fire and rescue service.
“We also facilitated further discussions between the FBU and employers (LGA) over the issue of firefighter fitness. Talks were progressing encouragingly and in good faith so for the FBU to walk away after only 4 days of negotiation is completely baffling.
“The deal being offered to firefighters remains one of the most generous pension schemes in the public sector. A firefighter who earns £29,000, and retires after a full career aged 60, will get a £19,000 a year pension, rising to £26,000 with the state pension. An equivalent private pension pot would be worth over half a million pounds and require firefighters to contribute twice as much.”
The FBU is one the three operational unions and is the only union taking industrial action. Both the Retained Firefighters Union and the Fire Officers Union will continue work as usual.
For advice on how to stay safe during the strike and for the fireworks code visit: www.dsfire.gov.uk
