Firefighters to strike over pensions row

FIREFIGHTERS across the region will go on strike for four hours next week over an ongoing national row over pensions.

The strike will take place on Wednesday, September 25, between 12pm and 4pm.

Worthing will be minimally affected, however, with retained firefighters ready to step-in.

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Group station manager Roy Barraclough said: “Members of the public should not notice any difference to the service.

“It is clearly easier to handle a four-hour strike, over a longer period of time.”

He added: “We would like to take this opportunity to remind people to be aware of their safety, checking things like smoke alarms and fire extinguishers.”

The strikes centre around plans to raise the retirement age of firefighters from 55 to 60, raising fears those forced to retire early will lose out on their pensions.

The decision to take industrial action was taken by members of the Fire Brigades Union, with around 85 per cent in favour across England and Wales.

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