Scots firefighters vote no to strike over pensions

SCOTLAND’S firefighters have voted against strike action over pensions despite their English and Welsh colleagues taking part in industrial action.

The Fire Brigades Union voted to accept a Scottish government offer to mitigate Westminster plans to force firefighters work until 60. Picture: Getty

The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) voted to accept a Scottish government offer to mitigate controversial Westminster plans to force firefighters work until the age of 60.

A letter from the FBU general secretary Matt Wrack said that

“significant improvements” have been made” by Scottish ministers, with some firefighters offered protection over the move to increase the retirement age from 55 to 60.

MR Wrack said that the FBU in Scotland had “decided that the proposal is sufficient to avoid strike action at this time” despite the action taken in England and Wales.

Roseanna Cunningham, Scotland’s minister for community safety, welcome the deal that means there will be no immediate strike over the issue north of the border.

She said: “The Scottish Government is obviously delighted that firefighters in Scotland have voted to accept our offer which provides the best deal available for Scottish firefighters and communities within the legislative and financial constraints imposed on us by the current devolved settlement.”