Firefighters' union calls two further strikes after talks break down
The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) has announced two further firefighters’ strikes to take place on Friday 1 November between 6.30pm and 11pm and Monday 4 November between 6am and 8am.
The union says it has called the four and a half hour and two hour walkouts after government and fire employers failed to offer any firm guarantees for firefighters facing "no job and no pension" as a result of pension changes.
Last weekend the FBU postponed a planned five hour strike due to progress in talks with the Government and fire employers over pensions.
The FBU said: "Government and employers had offered various routes to tackle the problem of firefighters not fit enough to work beyond the current retirement age of 55, but this week they informed the FBU they could provide none of the guarantees necessary to address this crucial aspect of the dispute."
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.
“Firefighters face the sack towards the end of their career and the loss of their pension. That can’t be right. The employers promised to tackle the issue of firefighters facing the sack for failing fitness tests last week, only to say they can’t offer any guarantees this week. That is simply not the way to run a public service.
“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.”
A spokseperson for Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service said: "Whilst the issue is a matter between the Fire Brigades Union and Government, every Fire & Rescue Service has a legal duty to maintain a level of service to local communities as best it can."
Chief Fire Officer for Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service, Lee Howell, said: “Fire and Rescue Services have contingency plans and ours will again be put into place ahead of these dates for industrial action. 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.”
Phil Martin, Head of Community Fire Safety for the Service, said: “You can help us again by taking extra care and time to think about fire safety in your home during this period - checking smoke alarms, ensuring you know what you would do if there was a fire and not making unnecessary calls to the fire and rescue service. You will find FAQs and lots of fire safety advice on our website, www.dsfire.gov.uk.”
The Fire Service has reminded businesses to be mindful of their responsibilities - it remains the responsibility of employers, landlords and other premises occupiers to comply with fire safety law.
Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service’s advice is to take extra care with these six steps:
• If you haven’t already got one, install a smoke alarm and test it every week
• Take extra care in the kitchen - this is where most fires start
• Check your electrical appliances - turn them off and don’t overload sockets
• If you smoke, put cigarettes out properly
• Sleep safe - check everything in your home every bedtime
• Plan a safe escape - make sure you know how to get out of your home in an emergency
Find more safety advice at www.dsfire.gov.uk.
