The Fire Brigades Union has slammed proposals to reduce public sector pensions in what the union has described as a “false trade off driven by austerity”.
According to reports from the Telegraph, Catherine Little, permanent secretary to the Cabinet Office, has been heading discussions in Whitehall around lowering pensions for nurses, teachers, firefighters and other public sector workers in exchange for negotiations on pay.
Under the Conservative government, changes to public sector pensions have seen workers working for longer with downgraded terms, with firefighters now forced to work to 60 years old in a physically demanding role.
The FBU is calling for a wealth tax to fund pay rises and fund public services instead of threats to "raid" pensions again.
Steve Wright, Fire Brigades Union general secretary, said:
Since 2010, public sector pay and pensions have been hammered by austerity. Firefighters are already being forced to work to 60, for a downgraded pension, and on around 12% less pay in real terms.
“It would be outrageous to raid our pensions again, and the FBU will fiercely resist any attempt to attack the pensions of firefighters and other public sector workers. Workers will not accept a false trade-off driven by austerity.
"The Labour government must urgently introduce a wealth tax to properly fund public services and provide a substantial pay increase for all workers. That is the only way to drive up growth and living standards."
