Local firefighters set to strike again as union sets date for second walkout
Firefighters have set a date for a second round of strikes over a pensions feud with the Government.
The five-hour walkout will take place on Saturday 19 October between 6:30pm and 11:30pm.
The action was approved by a ballot by the Fire Brigades Union (FBU), one of the three main firefighters unions in England and Wales.
The dispute is over changes to their pension agreement which would see an increase to the contributions firefighters would pay.
There are also concerns that due to the physical demands of the jobs, older firefighters would be negatively impacted by the changes.
Matt Wrack, Fire Brigades Union General Secretary, said: “Firefighters simply cannot be expected to fight fires and rescue families in their late-50s and into their 60s, and should not pay far worse ratios employer-employee contributions than those in the public or private sector.
“We hope this second strike will mean both governments will be willing to discuss the full range of concerns that firefighters and the general public have expressed.
“However, more strikes cannot be ruled out if that’s what it takes to protect public and firefighter safety from these ludicrous attacks.”
In a letter to Mr Wrack the Fire Minister Brandon Lewis wrote: “Like you, I am committed to ensuring that a firefighter in the Firefighters’ Pension Scheme 2015 who is over the age of 55 and loses fitness, through no fault of their own, should not be dismissed without access to a pension.
“This has never been an aim of our pension proposals. The issues which concern you relate to the policies of individual fire and rescue authorities, rather than central Government.
In response Mr Wrack said: “The minister cannot pass the buck on the vital issue of retirement age, and must be willing to discuss all of firefighters concerns, including the high cost of this scheme to firefighters.
“It’s difficult to take offers of negotiations seriously so long as the government plows ahead with their plans.”
The FBU is the largest of three operational unions representing 85% of the uniformed firefighting staff in England and Wales..
The other unions; the Retained Firefighters Union (RFU) and the Fire Officers Association (FOA) will continue work throughout the strike.
In a statement in September the FOA said: “The FOA is of the opinion that Government will not agree to fund any further concessions and that there will be no significant change to the current proposals.
“We are concerned that Government may consider removal existing concessions in the event of widespread strike action but it is hoped that this will not be the case.”
The RFU has a no-strike policy.
The strike will see a diminished service in much of Devon but contingency plans are being made to ensure all 999 emergencies are answered.
However due to a limited resource non-emergency and automated alarms will not be attended.
In a statement on their website Devon and Somerset Fireand Rescue Authority has 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.
“We will continue to respond to 999 calls and will do everything we can to keep the public safe, including during any national fire strike.
“You can help us 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.
“Businesses are also reminded to be mindful of their responsibilities, as during periods of industrial action the Service may not be able to respond to fire safety enquiries within its usual timescales. It remains the responsibility of employers, landlords and other premises occupiers to comply with fire safety law.”
