U.K.
Firefighters in England continued their campaign to protect their pension provision with another 24-hour strike on 25 February. The union is concerned about the implications of new rules that could mean firefighters being forced to retire at 55 on a reduced pension is declared unfit for duty.
Read more at > FBU
Firefighters in England took another 24 hours of strike action on 9-10 December in order to protect their pension rights. The FBU firefighters' union is concerned that government proposals will force firefighters to continue working longer or risk losing their pension entitlement. Firefighters in Scotland and Wales did not take strike action because the devolved governments have indicated their willingness to make the kinds of changes that have been called for by the union. [Read more at > FBU->http://www.fbu.org.uk/news/2014/12/firefighters-complete-24-hours-strike-march-thousands-support
A national demonstration by firefighters took place on 14 January as they continued their campaign against unilateral action by the government to change their employment conditions. This follows the strike that ran from 19 December to 2 January (see previous epsucob@NEWS). The unions involved argue that the proposed changes undermine career development in the fire service and retirement rights. They are particularly angry that the government has attempted to introduce the changes without any consultation or negotiation.
The FBU firefighters' union has announced that it will be taking strike action on 2nd, 3rd and 4th May in protest at the government's failure to come up with any new proposals on pensions after four months of negotiations. The FBU will also be calling for an overtime ban as part of an additional campaign of action short of a strike. The union is very concerned about government plans to change pension and retirement rules that could lead to firefighters working longer or losing their jobs if they can't meet competency requirements. [Read more at > FBU->http://www.fbu.org.uk/?p=10034] [And
