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Home » News & Events » 2014 » June » Fire Brigades Union announces further strike dates

Fire Brigades Union announces further strike dates

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Thursday 12th June 2014 from 09:00 hours until 13th June 2014 at 09:00 hours 

Saturday 21st June 2014 from 10:00 hours until 21st June 2014 at 17:00 hours

This national trade dispute between the Fire Brigades Union and National Government relates to proposed changes to Firefighters pensions.

This is obviously a serious situation both for the Service and for all individuals concerned and the Service hopes that there will be continued dialogue between the Union and Government over the coming days to prevent strike action taking place.

A ballot result last year provided the FBU with a mandate to take industrial action. It affects all operational staff who are members of the FBU and are eligible to join a Firefighters Pension Scheme.

Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service has a statutory duty to plan for industrial action in order to maintain an operational response capability. As such, the Service has in place a robust Business Continuity Plan to deal with periods of industrial action. This plan was invoked during periods of industrial action last year and earlier this year.

If strike action takes place on these dates it will result in a significant reduction of the Service’s available resources. However, plans are in place to continue to provide appropriate emergency fire cover across the two counties. This reduced fire cover is likely to provide a basic service and will aim to prioritise the most urgent calls ahead of other responses.

Area Commander Keith Chance, Head of Operations Support for Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service, said: “While the industrial action is on-going we will still be responding to 999 calls, but we will be asking members of the public to take extra steps to reduce the risk of a fire breaking out in their home. This is the first 24 hour strike being taken by the FBU during this dispute and we appreciate that members of the public may be concerned by this, however, I would like to reassure them that we will have plans in place to cover this strike period.

“We would ask people to ensure they have working smoke alarms in their homes as this can provide them with an early warning if a fire should break out in their home. We have lots of fire safety advice for residents and businesses on our website www.hwfire.org.uk Above all else please remain vigilant.”