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| Firefighters staging 12-hour strike over pensions | Firefighters staging 12-hour strike over pensions |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Firefighters in England and Wales are staging a 12-hour strike - the latest in a weekend of action over a long-running pensions row. | Firefighters in England and Wales are staging a 12-hour strike - the latest in a weekend of action over a long-running pensions row. |
| Fire Brigades Union members walked out at 14:00 BST on Saturday following a five-hour strike on Friday. They will also walk out for four hours on Sunday. | Fire Brigades Union members walked out at 14:00 BST on Saturday following a five-hour strike on Friday. They will also walk out for four hours on Sunday. |
| They oppose plans to increase pension contributions and retirement age. | They oppose plans to increase pension contributions and retirement age. |
| The government says firefighters will still have one of the most generous pension schemes in the public sector. | The government says firefighters will still have one of the most generous pension schemes in the public sector. |
| The FBU said the strikes were solidly supported, showing the determination of its members to continue their campaign. | |
| Sunday's strike is scheduled to begin at 10:00 BST and last until 15:00 BST. | Sunday's strike is scheduled to begin at 10:00 BST and last until 15:00 BST. |
| In Scotland there is a ban on voluntary overtime from noon on Friday until 9 May. | In Scotland there is a ban on voluntary overtime from noon on Friday until 9 May. |
| 'Hope' | 'Hope' |
| The union is angry that firefighters face having to pay higher pension contributions, work into their late 50s before retiring and could be sacked because their fitness declines as they get older. | |
| General secretary Matt Wrack accused the government of drawing up alternative proposals "that might point the way towards a solution" six weeks ago but "sitting on" them ever since. | General secretary Matt Wrack accused the government of drawing up alternative proposals "that might point the way towards a solution" six weeks ago but "sitting on" them ever since. |
| "Nevertheless, firefighters simply want a workable pension scheme and an end to this dispute, and the existence of such proposals gives us hope that an end might be in sight," he said. | "Nevertheless, firefighters simply want a workable pension scheme and an end to this dispute, and the existence of such proposals gives us hope that an end might be in sight," he said. |
| "These strikes have only resumed because of a complete absence of proposals from government. Rather than speculate on the motivations for their behaviour, now that we know costed proposals exist, we call on the minister to send us proposals without any further delay." | "These strikes have only resumed because of a complete absence of proposals from government. Rather than speculate on the motivations for their behaviour, now that we know costed proposals exist, we call on the minister to send us proposals without any further delay." |
| A spokesman for the Department for Communities and Local Government said the allegations were "untrue" and alternative proposals were shared with the FBU on 19 March. | A spokesman for the Department for Communities and Local Government said the allegations were "untrue" and alternative proposals were shared with the FBU on 19 March. |
| "The FBU are fully aware that the proposals required further discussion and consideration, which the government was committed to before the FBU walked away from discussions by calling industrial action." | "The FBU are fully aware that the proposals required further discussion and consideration, which the government was committed to before the FBU walked away from discussions by calling industrial action." |
| He added: "This weekend public safety is our prime concern and robust contingency plans are in place to keep people protected." | He added: "This weekend public safety is our prime concern and robust contingency plans are in place to keep people protected." |