Firefighters will go on strike for a fourth time in a dispute over pensions.
Members of the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) will stage industrial action on Wednesday November 13 for two hours between 10am and 2pm. It will follow similar strikes held in September and earlier this month.
Under plans by the UK Government, firefighters will get their full pension at 60 instead of 55. The FBU says 60 is too old to be fighting fires and its members face redundancy if they fail fitness tests. Those retiring early, the union argues, would lose thousands of pounds.
The FBU has also announced that members will be balloted for other forms of industrial action in the future.
Matt Wrack, FBU General Secretary, said: “Our members enter burning buildings for a living, and will not be intimidated by the government’s decision to worsen their proposals. This latest attack will simply harden the resolve of firefighters.
“Ministers continue to ignore the professional, evidence-based case firefighters have presented over the past three years and refuse to establish an affordable occupational pension scheme which reflects the occupation of firefighting.
“There seems to be little or no understanding of what our members actually do or the standards they are required to meet.”
On the new ballot for further industrial action, Wrack added: “Although we still hope the government returns to negotiations, our members have told us that they are prepared for a long, hard campaign if necessary.
“As a result we are now balloting for further forms of industrial action.
“The fire and rescue service is totally reliant on the goodwill of firefighters on the front line. Many are now performing additional duties and additional hours as a result of central government funding cuts.
“There is precious little goodwill left in view of these attacks and that I am confident that will be reflected in this further vote.
“I urge the government to come back and talk about all the issues in dispute.”
Fire Minister Brandon Lewis told firefighters on Friday November 1 that he had withdrawn June proposals on firefighters taking their pension before 60.
The FBU has argued that firefighters are likely to experience a decline in fitness in their 50s, meaning that they would be unlikely to meet the fitness standards required in the fire service.
Chief Fire Officers last week highlighted that the government’s proposals would mean firefighters facing a choice between the loss of almost half their pension or dismissal for failing to reach the standards.