Firefighters are set to stage a fresh strike in a row over pension ages.
Members of the Fire Brigades Union will walk out between 6.30pm and 11pm on Friday and again on Monday November 4 between 6am and 8am.
Under plans by the UK Government, firefighters in England will get their full pension at 60. Changes to pensions in Wales have not yet been finalised. Those retiring early, the FBU argue, would lose thousands of pounds.
Fire Brigades Union General Secretary, Matt Wrack, said: “It is ludicrous that, after two years of negotiations, the government has still not sorted out this mess.
“Firefighters are keen for these issues to be resolved through discussion, but the government won’t even listen to its own evidence, which highlights that the schemes are unworkable and unaffordable.
“Firefighters want a pension scheme that takes account of the hazardous nature of the job as well as being affordable and workable for them and for the taxpayer.
“We hope these brief strikes will mean the government returns to negotiations so we can agree a sensible way forward.”
Rod Hammerton, Assistant Chief Fire Officer of South Wales Fire and Rescue Service is urging the public to ‘take extra care’ during the strike.
He said: “Whilst South Wales Fire and Rescue Authority understand why staff are taking industrial action The Authority has a duty and an obligation to ensure that the provision of services to the public remains as unaffected as is reasonably practicable, especially where an emergency response is required.”
South Wales FIre and Rescue service will have outside help from the military with six crews of fully-trained firefighters.
It will also be using some of its own auxiliary firefighter reserves and will have a maximum of 12 appliances available during the two strike periods.