Firefighters ballot for national strike

Submitted by Matthew on 17 July, 2013 - 11:30

The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) will ballot members from 18 July for national strike action after the government issued an ultimatum over changes to firefighters’ pensions.

The ballot, which lasts until the end of August, is expected to produce a large yes vote, with strikes likely in September if a settlement is not reached before then.

Why are firefighters balloting at this late stage of the pensions battle? Matt Wrack, FBU general secretary, said: “Expecting large numbers of 60 year olds to fight fires and rescue families is dangerous to the public and to firefighters. The government is simply ignoring the evidence about the physical demands of firefighting and has been unable to answer our concerns during two years of negotiations.”

The FBU ballot covers a range of issues including contributions and a scheme for retained (part-time) firefighters. But the central issue is mitigating the effects of the new normal pension age (NPA) of 60, in terms of protection from the sack or retiring early on a reduced pension.

The FBU has gone its own way during the government pensions assault, particularly after the big unions decided two years ago to retrench into sectional talks instead of facing the government’s attack as a whole. Once sectional talks began, the FBU won some improvements in the cost ceiling and a review of the NPA. The union did not strike in November 2011.

The review, fronted by government specialists and published at the beginning of this year, conceded that most firefighters would not be fit to work until aged 60 (currently firefighters retire at 55). However the government pressed on with imposing 60 in the Public Service Pension Act, which came into force for all public sector workers in April.

The FBU resolved to ballot at its conference in May. It has got some further concessions since then. However the fire minister made a “final” offer at the end of June and made it conditional on the FBU accepting the deal by 12 July. The FBU executive decided on 9 July that the offer was not acceptable – particularly because it leaves fitness matters unresolved. This could see firefighters sacked on capability grounds when they are not fit enough to work, thereby losing much of their pension.

The ballot comes as the talks reached stalemate. A strike may break the log-jam. Socialists, activists and trade unionists need to support firefighters if it comes to a strike.

The level of workers’ action is very low, and even limited acts of resistance will encourage other workers to fight.

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