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Firefighters to stage four-hour strike in England and Wales next week Firefighters to stage four-hour strike in England and Wales next week
(35 minutes later)
Firefighters in England and Wales are to strike for four hours next week in a row over pensions, the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) said. Firefighters in England and Wales are to strike for four hours next week in a row over pensions, the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) says. Almost 80% voted in favour of industrial action in a ballot which ended this month.
Almost 80% voted in favour of industrial action in a ballot that ended this month. Union officials said they had left the strike to the last possible moment to allow for the possibility of a negotiated settlement. The strike will take place on Wednesday 25 September.
Union officials said they had left the strike to the last possible moment to allow for the possibility of a negotiated settlement.
The strike will take place on Wednesday 25 September.
The FBU general secretary, Matt Wrack, said: "This initial strike is a warning shot to government. Firefighters could not be more serious about protecting public safety and ensuring fair pensions.The FBU general secretary, Matt Wrack, said: "This initial strike is a warning shot to government. Firefighters could not be more serious about protecting public safety and ensuring fair pensions.
"Governments in Westminster and Cardiff have simply refused to see sense on these issues. It is ludicrous to expect firefighters to fight fires and rescue families in their late 50s: the lives of the general public and firefighters themselves will be endangered."Governments in Westminster and Cardiff have simply refused to see sense on these issues. It is ludicrous to expect firefighters to fight fires and rescue families in their late 50s: the lives of the general public and firefighters themselves will be endangered.
"None of us want a strike, but we cannot compromise on public and firefighter safety.""None of us want a strike, but we cannot compromise on public and firefighter safety."
Firefighters in Scotland will not strike next week because union officials are still discussing the Scottish government's most recent proposals.Firefighters in Scotland will not strike next week because union officials are still discussing the Scottish government's most recent proposals.
But as a settlement in Scotland has not yet been found, the union's strike ballot could still result in industrial action there. But as a settlement in Scotland has not yet been found, the union's strike ballot could yet result in industrial action there.
The walkout will take place for four hours, between noon and 4pm.The walkout will take place for four hours, between noon and 4pm.
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