Fire-fighters fight injustice

It’s hard for fire-fighters to strike. Even the most justified grievance doesn’t stand up if the alarm bells ring and pagers bleep in pockets. Men and women rush to don helmets and protective gear and get out there to save lives and property wherever they are needed. But new proposals on pensions strike deep.

From April 2014, the obligatory pension contribution will rise for the third year in a row – and, worse, new insurance standards insist that men and women aged 55 or over must pass the same fitness test as 20 year olds, or face dismissal.

FBU General Secretary, Matt Wrack, described it as a ‘ludicrous pretence’ that the fitness standards can be the same, and insisted that experienced men and women continued to play a vital part. Despite that, at least two thirds of the current workforce will face either dismissal or a reduction in their pensions of almost half if they cannot achieve the fitness standards of 20-year-olds.

So strikes are planned for 12.30am on Wednesday 1 January and 6.30am and 8.30am on Friday 3 January. Very small strikes. And of course, if there is a fire, they’ll be there.

It all seems very unfair.