Firefighters to go strike

The walk outs will take place on Friday 2nd May between noon and 5pm, Saturday 3rd May between 2pm and 2am and Sunday 4th May between 10am and 3pm.

This will mean services will be reduced at local fire stations.

The strikes are being carried out across England, Scotland and Wales.

There will also be a ban on voluntary overtime across England and Wales from 3pm on Sunday 4th May until noon on Friday 9th May.

Matt Wrack, FBU general secretary, said: “After three years of negotiations and an intense four months presenting an indisputable, evidence-based case for the need to ensure a pension scheme that takes into account the unique occupation of firefighting, the government is still burying its head in the sand.”

“Several members of government were only too keen to praise firefighters during the winter floods, but their words amount to nothing when they simultaneously ignore issues that threaten the future of firefighters and their families.”

“Nevertheless, we remain totally committed to resolving the dispute through negotiation, and are ready to meet to consider a workable proposal as soon as possible.”

Negotiations between the FBU and the Department for Communities and Local Government have been taking place for three years.

The last strike was on 3rd January 2014.

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