Firefighters in England striking over the next four days have received numerous messages of support and solidarity. Here are just some below.
Frances O’Grady, TUC general secretary, said: “Once again the government is showing its contempt for public service workers. Evidence warns that raising the normal retirement age for firefighters would lead to older fighters facing no job and no pension after years of good service.
“This same evidence has already led to concessions being made in Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland – but the Westminster government has chosen to walk away from the negotiating table.
“We are very concerned about the risks to firefighters, and those who rely on the fire service, when firefighters are forced to stay in front line service until they reach the age of 60.”
Manuel Cortes, general secretary of the Transport Salaried Staffs’ Association, said: “We in TSSA offer our full solidarity to FBU members forced into taking strike action by the appalling behaviour of this rotten government.
“When incidents occur, our members working across the national rail network and London Underground rely massively on the abilities of firefighters to be able to cope in very physically demanding situations.
“It is a disgrace that ministers are still refusing to give reasonable assurances over the protection of firefighters pensions. You have our full support in your struggle!”
Ian Lawrence, National Association of Probation Officers general secretary, offered solidarity from his union as firefighters take further action to protect their pensions as did the Focus E15 mothers from Stratford, East London.
Lyn Brown MP, shadow communities and fire minister, who has co-tabled a motion to attempt to secure a Parliamentary debate on firefighters pension, wrote: “The way ministers in this Tory-led Government have handled firefighters pensions has been shambolic and deeply irresponsible.
Ministers should urgently get around the negotiating table to avert firefighters strikes in England that nobody wants.
“The new fire minister, Penny Mordaunt, offered firefighters warm words only to deliver nothing.
“Devolved governments are negotiating fairer alternative proposals within financial limits and have averted strike action. In England, ministers in DCLG have failed to do so.”
