TUC showing support for striking firefighters

25 February 2015

Commenting on the 24-hour strike which will see firefighters in England walk out from 7am today (Wednesday) in their ongoing dispute with the government over forced changes to their pensions, TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady said:

“Firefighters are among the most highly-regarded public servants in the UK.

“In Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, governments are working with the firefighters’ union to negotiate pensions changes and reach a deal. In England, firefighters continue to face the threat of losing their job at 55 and having their pensions massively reduced. Government ministers are busy making false promises instead of working to find a real solution to this long-standing concern.”

NOTES TO EDITORS:

- The 24 hour strike will coincide with a rally and protest in Westminster, assembling from noon at Methodist Central Hall, Storeys Gate, London SW1 9NH http://www.fbu.org.uk/news/2015/02/no-lies-protest-parliament-sham-guarantee/

- The TUC is organising Fair Pay Fortnight 2015 between Monday 16 February and Sunday 1 March. The Fortnight is part of the TUC’s Britain Needs a Pay Rise campaign and will feature a series of events across England and Wales to raise awareness about low pay, pay inequality and the need for higher pay settlements in the public and private sector. For more information please visit www.fairpayfortnight.org

- All TUC press releases can be found at www.tuc.org.uk
- Follow the TUC on Twitter: @tucnews

Contacts:

Media enquiries:

Clare Santry  T: 020 7467 1372  M: 07717 531150  E: csantry@tuc.org.uk

Alex Rossiter  T: 020 7467 1285  M: 07887 572130  E: arossiter@tuc.org.uk
Tim Nichols  T: 020 7467 1337  M: 07876 452902  E: tnichols@tuc.org.uk