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Firefighters started their first 24-hour strike yesterday in the campaign against a government push for a higher retirement age and cuts in pensions.
Fire stations across England and Wales closed as Fire Brigades Union (FBU) members walked out in protest at the planned changes.
“The government is ignoring all the evidence from its own reports,” said FBU general secretary Matt Wrack, who joined members on a Shoreditch, east London, picket line.
Since 2010, one in five firefighter jobs has disappeared alongside 30% funding cuts — all while climate breakdown brings record blazes and flooding. It’s time to fund our fire service properly, writes FBU general secretary STEVE WRIGHT
The FBU is demanding 52 weeks of full pay for women firefighters, highlighting the unique health risks they face — and the continuing need to recruit and retain more women if policies like this are still not in place, writes SEONA HART
