Firefighters' Latest Eight Day Strike To Start On Saturday

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In protest at government plans to increase their retirement age

The latest rounds of strikes will see Fire Brigades Union (FBU) members walk out between 12pm-2pm and 22:59-23:59 for eight days between Saturday 9 August and Saturday 16 August.

The FBU says the proposed changes mean those members who are unable to meet physical fitness requirements until the age of 60 would risk being sacked. It also claims firefighters who opt for early retirement would be subject to “unacceptably high” reductions in their pension.

Firefighters have already held a series of strikes in protest at the proposals. The Fire Brigades Union website says that: "Negotiators will be attending (a meeting on 7th August with Westminster fire minister Penny Mordaunt) with an open mind and are hopeful that even at this late stage, significant progress can be made to avert the industrial action that has been called".

As with past strikes, the London Fire Brigade will use hire contractors to provide reduced fire cover during the walkouts.

Ms Mordaunt commented to the BBC: "The action by the FBU is completely futile and counterproductive to the interests of their members and the public. I hope they will soon realise that and re-engage so we can get this situation swiftly resolved."

August 6, 2014