Firefighters To Strike For Three Days In May

Firefighters across England and Wales will stage three days of strike action in May, the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) has said.

The strike action is set to take place over the May Bank Holiday weekend as the FBU's dispute with the Government over pensions continues.

Members will walk out for five hours from noon on May 2, between 2pm and 2am on May 3 and between 10am and 3pm on May 5.

Firefighters carried out a series of strikes last year to protest against the Government's plans for a later retirement age, as well as changes to pensions.

Further strike action was then put on hold while talks were held.

The union argues that firefighters in their late 50s face being sacked or seeing their pension reduced by half because of changes to the retirement age.

Matt Wrack, general secretary of the FBU, accused the Government of "burying its head in the sand".

"After three years of negotiations and an intense four months presenting an indisputable, evidence-based case for the need to ensure a pension scheme that takes account the unique occupation of firefighting, the Government is still burying its head in the sand," he said.

"Several members of Government were only too keen to praise firefighters during the winter floods, but their words amount to nothing when they simultaneously ignore issues that threaten the future of firefighters and their families.

"Nevertheless, we remain totally committed to resolving the dispute through negotiation and are ready to meet to consider a workable proposal as soon as possible."

The FBU said a ban will also be put on voluntary overtime across England and Wales from 3pm on May 4 until noon on May 9.

In Scotland, there will also be a ban on voluntary overtime between noon on May 2 and noon on May 9.