FIREFIGHTERS in Warrington and the rest of the country will strike again over attacks on their pensions after the government confirmed it would implement a new scheme without further negotiations.
A 24-hour strike — the longest yet in the three-year campaign — will take place from 9am on Thursday June 12, with another set for 10am-5pm on Saturday June 21.
In addition, between the two strikes, firefighters will not carry out any voluntary overtime — which is routinely needed by many fire and rescue services to maintain fire cover — or conduct training of strike breakers between the beginning of the first strike and 9am on Sunday June 22.
Matt Wrack, general secretary of the Fire Brigades Union, said: “The minister has decided to bury his head in the sand, but he must accept that firefighters simply will not give up fighting for their futures — and our fire and rescue service.
“Concerns over these unworkable proposals remain as valid and grave as ever, and the government has ignored all the evidence including its own reports.
“It is, as ever, a difficult decision for us to take, but the only way for us to resolve this unnecessary and costly dispute is for the government to start listening to reason.”
On Tuesday FBU officials met the fire minister, Brandon Lewis, in the hope that discussion could continue, although their appeal fell on deaf ears.
On Monday May 23, the minister opened a “consultation” on their proposals, signalling an end to discussions with firefighters over the scheme.
However, the Department for Communities and Local Government is still refusing to publish alternative, fully-costed proposals that they have admitted to being in possession of since Wednesday March 19.
As a result, the FBU argues that the firefighters, the public and other parties — including ministers in the Welsh and Scottish governments — are being kept in the dark, and the consultation being rendered meaningless, said Mr Wrack.
The two strikes will be the thirteenth and fourteenth over pensions. The first was on Thursday September 24 last year.
FIREFIGHTERS in Warrington and the rest of the country will strike again
over attacks on their pensions after the government confirmed it would
implement a new scheme without further negotiations.
Firefighters to stage 24-hour strike
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About Author
Gary Skentelbery
Experienced journalist for more than 40 years. Managing Director of magazine publishing group with three in-house titles and on-line daily newspaper for Warrington. Experienced writer, photographer, PR consultant and media expert having written for local, regional and national newspapers. Specialties: PR, media, social networking, photographer, networking, advertising, sales, media crisis management. Chair of Warrington Healthwatch Director Warrington Chamber of Commerce Patron Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Foundation for Peace. Trustee Warrington Disability Partnership. Former Chairman of Warrington Town FC.
