The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) warns that UK firefighters’ strike seems “unavoidable”.
A strike action by firefighters in England and Wales over the British government™s pension scheme seems “unavoidable”, the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) warns.
The union said on Saturday that an announcement of a strike by firefighters is “likely to follow soon” as government leaders in England and Wales have failed to reach a compromise to prevent the industrial action.
However, the FBU added that there had been progress in Scotland, which could avoid a strike action.
“As a result of the refusal of governments in Westminster and Cardiff to see sense on firefighter pensions, it now appears that strike action is unavoidable in England and Wales,” said FBU General Secretary Matt Wrack.
Last month, British firefighters voted in favor of a strike action in a row over pensions. Members of the FBU in England, Scotland, and Wales backed industrial action against the government™s pension scheme by 18,277 votes to 5,166, a majority of 78 percent.
Under the coalition government™s new proposals, firefighters in England will get their full pension at 60.
Moreover, significant reduction will be imposed on firefighter pension benefits with those retired or forced out of work at the age of 55 losing about 50 percent of their pensions.
SSM/HE
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