Firefighters across West Sussex on 24 hour strike today

The strike ‘follows the government’s decision to commence the parliamentary procedure to implement regulations for an unfair, unaffordable and unworkable pension scheme’, the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) said.

Matt Wrack, FBU general secretary, said: “Firefighters in England are reluctantly calling further strike action today as a direct result of the Westminster government’s failure to listen and negotiate over pensions.

“Firefighters are asking the Westminster government to immediately open genuine negotiations to resolve this dispute. They should also hold a House of Commons debate to fully scrutinise the legislation and there should be a parliamentary vote on the regulations.

“We need to be clear. We are not going to give up or go away. Firefighters will fight for however long it takes to secure a fair pensions deal – this dispute will not end as long as the regulations remain unchanged.”