Firefighters call more strikes after government refuses compromise on pensions.
Firefighters in Wales as well as England and Scotland will take part in further industrial action over pensions, the Fire Brigades Union has announced.
Welsh firefighters will strike on:
- Friday 2 May, between noon and 5pm
- Saturday 3 May, between 2pm and 2am
- Sunday 4 May, between 10am and 3pm.
There will also be a ban on voluntary overtime across Wales from 3pm on Sunday 4 May until noon on Friday 9 May.
Matt Wrack, FBU general secretary, said:
“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 into account the unique occupation of firefighting, the government is still burying its head in the sand.
“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.”
Negotiations between the FBU and the Department for Communities and Local Government — as well as the devolved governments — have been taking place for three years, and since the last strike on 3 January 2014, both the union and government have undertaken work examining financial, technical and legal issues.
Over recent weeks the FBU has met with ACAS, the organisation devoted to preventing and resolving employment disputes, where union officials outlined their concerns and frustration with the lack of any progress.
In August last year, firefighters voted by 78% for strike action.
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