Central Fire Station, Nottingham

Wednesday 25th September 2013

Between 12 and 4pm on Wednesday, the Fire Brigade Union called for a strike by its members to highlight it's issues over pensions and that staff are expected to work until they are 60, doing such a physically demanding job.

“All the evidence demonstrates the physically arduous and dangerous nature of the work firefighters undertake. Forcing these dedicated professionals to work beyond their physical capacity not only puts their health at risk it also increases the risk to safety of the general public. I am urging the Government to see sense and get back to the negotiating table for constructive discussion to resolve this dispute.”

John McDonnell MP

Throughout the day messages of support have been flooding in for firefighters striking over the government’s unsafe, unfair and unworkable proposals on pensions.

John McDonnell MP said: “Firefighters have my 100% backing for the industrial action they have been forced to take this week and I will be joining local FBU picket lines to support my local firefighters in their campaign to protect their pension rights.

“All the evidence demonstrates the physically arduous and dangerous nature of the work firefighters undertake. Forcing these dedicated professionals to work beyond their physical capacity not only puts their health at risk it also increases the risk to safety of the general public. I am urging the Government to see sense and get back to the negotiating table for constructive discussion to resolve this dispute.”

TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady said: “There are many reasons why the government shouldn’t be pressing ahead with these unfair and ill-thought out changes, with concerns about the likely impact on safety surely top of the list.

“Being able to save people from burning buildings or rescue them from the scene of a multiple vehicle pile-up requires not just bravery, but a good deal of physical strength too.”

Vaxhaull MP Kate Hoey said: “No-one should be expected to do what firefighters do without being fully fit.

“The age limit has worked well and I would urge the Fire Minister to recognise that not only will firefighters’ health be put at risk, but the general public will be at risk too if these changes are forced through.

“Common sense demands that the Government get round the negotiating table again to solve this dispute as soon as possible.”

Robert F Monks, General Secretary of the Unite Road Transport Union said: “We in the URTU are forever appreciative of the hazardous work that FBU members undertake to ensure the safety of road users in the UK.”

Mark Serwotka, General Secretary of trade union PCS, said: “PCS offers its full solidarity to FBU members in their strike today in defence of the vital service they provide to us all.

“The attack on your pensions is the same attack made by government across the public sector, which seeks to recover the costs of the bank crash from the pockets of tomorrow’s pensioners. It is an assault on your members, their future and the vital public service they deliver heroically.”

John F. Smith, General Secretary of the Musicians’ Union, said: “The MU sends it’s solidarity and support to all FBU members in their struggle for fair pensions and a sensible and reasonable retirement age.”

Fire Brigades Union FBU

http://www.fbu.org.uk

FBU pensions leaflet.pdf

https://www.dropbox.com/s/kxsxqo12dkoiwjk/FBU%20pensions%20leaflet.pdf

____________________________________________

ALAN LODGE 

Photographer - Media: One Eye on the Road. Nottingham.  UK

Email:                 tash@indymedia.org

Web:                   http://digitaljournalist.eu

Member of the National Union of Journalists [NUJ]

____________________________________________

"It is not enough to curse the darkness.

                                   It is also necessary to light a lamp!!"

___________________________________________

<ends>