October 16, 2013 12.18 pm This story is over 125 months old

Lincolnshire firefighters to strike again in pension row

Second strike: Firefighters in Lincolnshire will stage a five-hour walkout on October 19, in a row over pensions.
Photo: File/LCC

Firefighters in Lincolnshire will stage a second five-hour walkout on October 19, in a row over pensions.

Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue has been officially informed by the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) of the strike action on Saturday from 6.30pm until 11.30pm.

The government plans to keep firefighters in work until they are 60 years old, instead of 55, but the FBU fears this would be putting people’s safety at risk.

At a demonstration in central London on October 16, Fire Brigades Union General Secretary Matt Wrack said: “The government is putting us all at risk, first by slashing the fire service, and second by forcing firefighters to work beyond the age at which they can physically do the job.”

This would be the second strike in Lincolnshire following an earlier walkout on September 25, which saw around 150 county firefighters take part in industrial action.

During the five-hour strike on October 19, Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue said it will continue to provide emergency response as part of its business continuity plans.

In last month’s four-hour strike, Lincolnshire firefighters responded to six incidents, including one traffic accident and two building fires caused by chip pans.

Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue also offered on its website a range of safety advice for people and business owners during the strike.