Latest editorial
FIREFIGHTERS claimed a “major victory” today after a landmark case ruled they are entitled to increased pensions for additional duties.
A court hearing from firefighters based in Wales on Friday evening ruled that workers are regularly paid an additional allowance for working anti-social hours and accepting shift systems up to 42 hours longer than standard working weeks.
The Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Authority had long argued that these arrangements could not be structured into pension payments because of the irregularity of the work.
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