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Firefighters Poised For Bonfire Period Strike

Firefighters Poised For Bonfire Period Strike

Firefighters in England will start a four-day strike on Friday evening, as a bitter row over pensions intensifies.

Opponents to the walkout, orchestrated by the Fire Brigades Union, have branded the industrial action as "regrettable and unnecessary" - with emergency services already under strain as weekend bonfires and firework displays commence.

Even though the Government has a contingency plan, with hundreds of contract workers expected to cross picket lines, the public has been warned to remain vigilant and stay safe.

Fire stations in London have warned that they may be unable to attend to minor fires, or help people trapped in lifts.

Although the Government has insisted that firefighters enjoy one of the best pension packages in the public sector, the claims have been rubbished by the FBU's general-secretary.

Matt Wreck said: "We have a Government of millionaires who are wrecking the pensions of firefighters, while the real scandal is that their own pensions are by far the most generous anywhere in the public sector.

"How can it be remotely fair that the Prime Minister, already a millionaire, enjoys a far greater subsidy from his employer in absolute and proportional terms than a firefighter who is earning less than £30,000 a year? It is sickening hypocrisy."

The FBU's industrial action is due to begin at 6pm on Friday, but a strike in Wales has been averted after its assembly made a "significant" change of direction by offering an improved proposal.

Westminster has been pushing to reform firefighters' pensions amid fears that a £600m black hole in the scheme's finances will emerge by 2019 - with a Government spokesman warning that "taxpayers cannot be expected to meet all of these costs".

Fire Minister Penny Mordaunt said: "The Government recognises the role that firefighters play in keeping the public safe, and has worked hard to give them one of the most generous pensions in the public sector.

"A firefighter who earns £29,000 will still be able to retire after a full career aged 60 and get a £19,000-a-year pension, rising to £26,000 with the state pension.

"An equivalent private pension pot would be worth over £500,000 and require firefighters to contribute twice as much."