pensions.
Earlier the FBU postponed a five hour strike after the
Westminster government and fire employers shifted their position and finally
recognised that firefighters faced losing
their jobs and a large chunk of their pensions under new changes imposed in
April. Government and employers had offered various routes to tackle the problem of firefighters not fit enough to work beyond the current retirement age of 55, but then informed the FBU they could provide none of the guarantees necessary to address this crucial aspect of the dispute.
Matt Wrack, FBU general secretary said: “The FBU has been very reasonable, but we are now faced with broken promises and those in power evading their responsibilities. The Westminster government has created this mess, but it is refusing to clear it up. It now recognises the problem, but it won’t provide the legal and financial guarantees firefighters need to ensure they have a job and an unreduced pension in the future.
“Firefighters face the sack towards the end of their career and the loss of their pension. That can’t be right. The employers promised to tackle the issue of firefighters facing the sack for failing fitness tests last week, only to say they can’t offer any guarantees this week. That is simply not the way to run a public service."
You can read more information on the FBU dispute, including an excellent Myth Buster highlighting the truth and lies around the pensions issue, by visiting the FBU Website here.
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