UK firefighters stage one-day strike over pension policies

British firefighters have gone on a one-day strike to protest against their working conditions and the government’s pension policies, Press TV reports.

On Tuesday, thousands of firefighters across Britain took part in a 24-hour strike, called by the country’s Fire Brigades Union (FBU), to show their anger at the government’s controversial plans to increase the retirement age from 55 to 60 and raise the firefighters’ pension contributions.

The British firefighters also held nationwide rallies to show their solidarity with Ricky Matthews, an executive member of the FBU, who was recently sacked for participating in a previous strike.

The government is going ahead with its pension plans and we are really angry about that, Chris Standley, from the Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service, told the Press TV correspondent.

“The government has walked away from negotiations… so our comrades, our sisters and our brothers, are here to take a lawful strike action to defend our right to have an affordable, fair and justifiable pension,” said Edinburgh’s FBU representative, Denise Christie.

Despite firefighters’ vehement objections, Britain’s fire minister condemned the strike as unnecessary and disappointing.

“This strike action is completely unnecessary and we are disappointed by the FBU’s decision, which does nothing but damage the good reputation of the fire and rescue service,” said Penny Mordaunt.

The FBU general secretary criticized Mordaunt’s remarks, saying the strike was the direct result of the government’s reluctance to address firefighters’ legitimate concerns.