I have read this thread with interest. Fireman are doing what they are entitled to and that is strike.

Personally it is poinleS's. They have to step into line just like the old bill and the ambulance service have had to.

What u need to remember is that alot of them like me were promised something when they signeed up and now the goalposts have been moved. Like me in the old bill. I joined in 2000 and was told I would do 30 years and get a decent pension at the end. Now after 15 years I've been told by the government 'actually your going to do another 9 years on top until your 60 and get less than you thought

Yes still an ok pension but it wasn't what I signed up for. That's a bitter pill to swallow when you've spent half of your supposed service making plans and thinking you were getting a certain deal.

There's no love lost between the old bill and the fire service but I don't blame them for striking which they are entitled to. If the old bill were allowed to strike I would strike tomor row against this government.

Theresa May is to the emergency services what Maggie Thatcher is to the miners..... Awful woman.

Don't waste your time with jealousy. Sometimes your ahead, sometimes your behind, the race is long. But in the end it's only with yourself!!

I don't have a major problem with a strike - if they really feel that is their last resort and they feel it may work. What I DO have a problem with is the timing. Sure they have to give 7 days notice, so give 14 and do it the following week. Anyone who thinks that the timing of the strike is solely the fault of the Govt is nuts. The Union had a choice and chose the first possible date, which was fireworks time, and hang the consequences. They did not have to do that and knew what they were doing.

Personally, I think the Police service, Army and Ambulance service have been specifically hard done by because they cannot take industrial action, leading them to be targeted.

We could have chosen to honour our collective emergency services by allowing them to retain these privillages, as a sign of respect to the essential services they perform for our society, as well as recognising the dangers inherent in those jobs (psychologically and physically).

In turn this could well have served as an incentive for people to remain in and join these services, as well as a means of valuing that their contribution to society deserves specific reward.

I exclude the RAF and Navy, largely because the specific risks for most in those services is fairly minimal.

"One Nation Under God, has turned into One Nation Under the Influence of One Drug"
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If it was unionized believe me carpenters would be earning 12 quid an hour(If they were lucky)instead of a decent(ish)30 quid an hour

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Let's get this into perspective

Being a fire fighter is not especially dangerous

Far less dangerous than being a builder, a rubbish collection operative or a farmworker.

We don't give special allowances to them, even though for example the dustmen also do a crucial role for us.

And the point that they work shifts can be seen two ways. Last I knew it was 4 on 4 off and all firefighters I knew did additional work outside their main jobs. I know, I employed them back in the day.

And by the way, if you can't be a firefighter after 60 does that really make you incapable of doing anything else up to normal retirement age? Especially when you have in all probability been doing your second job for the past 35 years in any case?

I have way more sympathy for farmworkers who both do a more dangerous job and get paid a pittance.

I am not saying it doesn't stick in the throat when the goal posts get moved but they moved for everyone in the country not specifically for firefighters, Police etc. It's the economy stupid.

Nobody gave me anything - I'm as entitled to my state pension as were your parents and no doubt you will ne in due course. regarding any occupational pension I have - I paid into it for 30 years! I retired at 65 having stated work at 16. I played by the rules that applied then - you must do the same by the current rules.
A grown man (I assume that you are) screeching "its unfair" like a spoilt 5 year old is somewhat sad.