UK firefighters plan fresh strikes

Members of the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) will walk out on December 13 and 14, each day for four hours.

The firefighters have taken industrial action four times since September to protest against the government’s plans to increase the retirement age for the workforce and the pension scheme for retired staff.

“The [UK] government is ignoring our members’ concerns about increasing contributions, which will mean most firefighters paying more than £4,000 a year towards their pensions,” said FBU General Secretary Matt Wrack.

He also criticized the pension scheme for failing to take into account the physically demanding job that the firemen do.

Under the Tory-led UK government’s new proposals, the retirement age for firefighters will be increased from 55 to 60.

Moreover, significant reduction will be imposed on the firefighters’ pension benefits, with those retired or forced out of work at the age of 55 losing about 50 percent of their pensions.

SSM/HJL

Source Article from http://www.presstv.ir/detail/2013/12/06/338580/uk-firefighters-plan-fresh-strikes/

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