Firefighters vote for strike action

FIREFIGHTERS have voted almost 4–1 in favour of striking in a row over pensions - threatening the first nationwide walkouts in a decade.

Members of the Fire Brigades Union backed industrial action by 18,277 votes to 5,166, a majority of 78 per cent.

The union said planned changes to pensions were “unaffordable and unworkable”, would impose an increase in members’ contributions and would put firefighters at greater risk of dismissal without a proper pension if they can’t maintain fitness standards as they approach retirement age.

FBU general secretary Matt Wrack said: “Expecting large numbers of 60–year–olds to fight fires and rescue families is dangerous to the public and to firefighters. The Government is simply ignoring the evidence about the physical demands of firefighting.

“None of us want a strike, but we cannot compromise on public and firefighter safety. We hope common sense prevails, and the Government returns to the negotiating table.”

Strike action must be taken within 28 days of the ballot.