Fire service strike

[Terranoman]

On Friday evening I will be joining my collegues in the Fire Service taking strike action.

There is currently a stand off between goverment and local councils at who is going to cover the payments in the pension scheme. The goverment have told local councils they are to pay while local councils say the goverment started the changes so they can foot the cost. Either way both agree there is an issue which needs to be addressed but neither are willing to pay.

Just over a year ago I was paying £260 per month. I now pay £320 raising to approximatly £380 by 2015. Reason! To pay off national debit. I will receive no extra money in my pension pot. Infact I loose money. When i retire i get a pension of approximatly £11500 per year. That is if I can work to 60. Where Brandon Lewis gets £29k pa god knows.

From 2012 we have to meet a 12month fitness test. If you fail you get so long to improve before you are sacked. I have worked as a ff now for over 10 years with no medicals, no fitness equipment and no fitness advise.

I have now seen 2 collegues thrown on the scrap heap after being injured at work and not being able to meet the fitness requirements.

I am now use to being called greedy, lazy, over paid and militant with a golden pension pot, so most comments likely to be made will not shock or phase me what will happen is I will still come and put my life on the line to save others.

Why post this?

I wish to educate people why firefighters are doing what they are doing.

We currently have an 8 point trade dispute with the government outlining issues with the changes they are forcing upon us. Most have been hi lighted within a report commissioned by the government which shows the changes are unworkable with 70% of firefighters not making 60 years old and sacked leaving them with no job no pension.

Anyone wishing to ask questions please feel free. As the press seems to be owned by the government.