Fire crews deliver ‘warning shot’ to government with strike over pensions row
The Fire Brigades Union warns of more strikes to come if an agreement over pensions isn't made - Credit: sub
Firefighters taking strike action today (Wednesday) have received the support of residents – as their union leaders warned there would be further walkouts unless an agreement over pensions is reached.
Members of the Fire Brigades Union (FBU), who were due to be on the picket line from 12pm to 4pm nationwide, said the strike was a “warning shot to Westminster” in an ongoing dispute over government-led reforms to their pensions.
The four-hour walk-out comes on the back of Mayor of London Boris Johnson’s decision to close Silvertown fire station and nine others across the capital, and to cut 550 jobs in a bid to save £45million over the next two years.
Residents have expressed mixed views about the decision to strike and close fire stations.
Assembly member for city and east London, John Biggs, said he supported the firefighters in their strike.
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He told the Recorder “We need to be careful when we undermine one of our most treasured services.”
FBU regional officer for London, Gareth Beeton, said the strikes over pensions were “a warning shot to the government of the situation following two years of ongoing negotiations with no stable outcome”.
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“No firefighter wants to go on strike. It’s a last resort,” he said, but added: “There will be more strikes and longer strikes to come until such a time as the government enter into negotiations with us.”
Government fire minister Brandon Lewis labelled the industrial action as “entirely unnecessary and avoidable”.
He said: “The pension on offer to firefighters is one of the most generous public service pensions available.”
Residents are urged to take extra care during the strike, in particular when cooking or extinguishing cigarettes, though a contingency fire service of 27 engines will provide cover across the capital.
