Fire Strike over Pensions and Working Age

BETWEEN 12 noon to 4pm, on 25 September 2013, members of the Fire Brigade Union (FBU) walked out, on strike in a national row over pensions. The FBU represents over 85% of the uniformed staff of the UK's Fire and Rescue Service. As the strike took place, the FBU told the press that they have:- "been flooding in for fire-fighters striking over the government's unsafe, unfair and unworkable proposals on pensions." The FBU also added that it is a:- "clear warning to the government" of members' anger about making them work until they are 60. Union officials see this strike as their opening shot in a dispute that could intensify.

During the industrial action Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service maintained an emergency response capability, of at least 20 frontline appliances, as well as continuing the Services community fire prevention activities. Also businesses and community centres, along with educational establishments had been warned to:- "Take special care to avoid the possibility of a false alarm." along with:- "Review your risk assessment and emergency plan – make sure it's up to date." As far as we have been informed, no incidents have resulted in loss of life as a result of the strike action. This was the first time in 10 years that a national fire strike has been held. This time the strike affected all 46 fire services in England and 3 in Wales. As the FBU are certainly not ruling out further industrial action in the weeks ahead, this will be a big test of the UK's plans to cover areas during industrial actions. 10 years ago, the UK's Army provided cover with a fleet of Green Goddesses trucks from the 1950's, but all these trucks have been sold, so nationally private contractors and voluntary, and maxillary crews, had to be used. This time the arrangements for providing cover fell on local fire authorities, as the UK's armed forces have now only got a backup role in case of a major incident. But FBU members did make it very clear that if a major incident did happen, they would return to work. On Merseyside, a spokesman for Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service said:- "This in dispute is with the National Fire Brigades Union and the Government. While this is not a dispute with local Fire and Rescue Services, the service had a duty to provide response during such an event and maintain the best and most effective emergency response possible. We warned the public to follow our safety advice."

Labour MP for Hayes and Harlington, has publicly stated:- "Fire-fighters have my 100% backing for the industrial action they have been forced to take this week and I will be joining local FBU picket lines to support my local fire-fighters in their campaign to protect their pension rights. All the evidence demonstrates the physically arduous and dangerous nature of the work fire-fighters undertake. Forcing these dedicated professionals to work beyond their physical capacity not only puts their health at risk it also increases the risk to the safety of the general public. I am urging the Government to see sense and get back to the negotiating table for constructive discussion to resolve this dispute."

TUC General Secretary, Frances O'Grady has also added that:- "There are many reasons why the government shouldn't be pressing ahead with these unfair and ill-thought out changes, with concerns about the likely impact on safety surely top of the list. Being able to save people from burning buildings or rescue them from the scene of a multiple vehicle pile-up requires not just bravery, but a good deal of physical strength too."

Also supporting the action was Vauxhall MP, Kate Hoey who stated on a release that:- "No-one should be expected to do what fire-fighters do without being fully fit. The age limit has worked well and I would urge the Fire Minister to recognise that not only will fire fighters' health be put at risk, but the general public will be at risk too if these changes are forced through. Common sense demands that the Government get round the negotiating table again to solve this dispute as soon as possible."

As the day went on the FBU also released a statement by Robert F Monks, who is the General Secretary of the Unite Road Transport Union. He said publicly that: - "We in the URTU are forever appreciative of the hazardous work that FBU members undertake to ensure the safety of road users in the UK." and it was backed up by Mark Serwotka, General Secretary of trade union PCS, who added that:- "PCS offers its full solidarity to FBU members in their strike today in defence of the vital service they provide to us all. The attack on your pensions is the same attack made by government across the public sector, which seeks to recover the costs of the bank crash from the pockets of tomorrow's pensioners. It is an assault on your members, their future and the vital public service they deliver heroically."

The more surprising voices of support came from John F. Smith who is the General Secretary of the Musicians' Union, who stated that: - "The MU sends its solidarity and support to all FBU members in their struggle for fair pensions and a sensible and reasonable retirement age."

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