Trumpton Strikes Again!
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Trumpton Strikes Again!
Rumour Control has just informed me that there is another fire strike planned in April. The dispute is now over pensions.
Is this strike common knowledge out there in Forces land...?
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Originally Posted by Training Risky
Rumour Control has just informed me that there is another fire strike planned in April. The dispute is now over pensions.
Is this strike common knowledge out there in Forces land...?
Red On, Green On
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BBCi reports:
"Thousands of firefighters across the UK are expected to be asked to strike in a dispute over pension reforms.
The Fire Brigade Union's executive have decided to hold an emergency recall conference in February with a recommendation to strike.
The FBU will co-ordinate any action with local government unions who are also in dispute over similar concerns. " dated 13 January 2006.
"Thousands of firefighters across the UK are expected to be asked to strike in a dispute over pension reforms.
The Fire Brigade Union's executive have decided to hold an emergency recall conference in February with a recommendation to strike.
The FBU will co-ordinate any action with local government unions who are also in dispute over similar concerns. " dated 13 January 2006.
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Just came across this on the Fire Brigade Union website, http://www.fbu.org.uk/campaigns/pensions/index.php it may be interesting to us military types. Fresco again?
Fresco again?
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Bl()()dy Firemen
Simple answer is yes!
I spent most of this afternoon trying to work out exactly how I can maintain my primary task despite having almost half my juniors taken away to cover the aforementioned work-shy, pampered, out-dated, un-willing to be dragged into the modern day, leftie gits. And yes I am not in a good mood over it. Is that commie TW*t Gilchrist still in charge or do I now vent my spleen at another version of the anti-christ
I spent most of this afternoon trying to work out exactly how I can maintain my primary task despite having almost half my juniors taken away to cover the aforementioned work-shy, pampered, out-dated, un-willing to be dragged into the modern day, leftie gits. And yes I am not in a good mood over it. Is that commie TW*t Gilchrist still in charge or do I now vent my spleen at another version of the anti-christ
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LooeyDaFrog
Having a bad day old son. Suggest you read the thread on Stress.
Why shouldn't the Fire fighters take action to protect their pensions. On the whole they do a crap job, and in my opinion should be paid a lot more than they are. Cutting bloody bodies out of car wrecks, and shovelling bits of cremated people out of burned buildings is not something I would think you would do from choice. So what if they are left wing. They need to be to protect themselves from this government. Suggest you wait until your house catches fire, and then advise the Sub Officer in charge of the responding fire crew of your views when they arrive to rescue you and your family. I am sure they will be happy to enter into a reasoned debate with you.
Having a bad day old son. Suggest you read the thread on Stress.
Why shouldn't the Fire fighters take action to protect their pensions. On the whole they do a crap job, and in my opinion should be paid a lot more than they are. Cutting bloody bodies out of car wrecks, and shovelling bits of cremated people out of burned buildings is not something I would think you would do from choice. So what if they are left wing. They need to be to protect themselves from this government. Suggest you wait until your house catches fire, and then advise the Sub Officer in charge of the responding fire crew of your views when they arrive to rescue you and your family. I am sure they will be happy to enter into a reasoned debate with you.
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Given that all the GeeGees have just been sold off, I wonder how the ODPM is going to cope with this one. (Sack all the fokkers, like I said last time). Maybe we'll be have to use Chinnies in the rainmaker role!
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Looey
I am afraid I have to agree with Raydarr. Whilst the last few disputes were over modernisation, for which few out here had any sympathy including myself, pensions are a whole different matter. So many companies have reneged on their schemes and a whole section of our community are going to lead very poor lives at 65+. Mr Brown’s legacy will be around long after his death. However those companies who have to deal with the bigger unions some of which are in a strong position, will not find it so easy to walk away.
Personally I fully support the FBU on this and I hope they have the sense to make it a national and indefinite stoppage in the spring. Just in time to spoil the Afghan thing methinks. As for your stress of having to juggle commitments oh how we smile, that is exactly what you get paid so like it or leave!
I am afraid I have to agree with Raydarr. Whilst the last few disputes were over modernisation, for which few out here had any sympathy including myself, pensions are a whole different matter. So many companies have reneged on their schemes and a whole section of our community are going to lead very poor lives at 65+. Mr Brown’s legacy will be around long after his death. However those companies who have to deal with the bigger unions some of which are in a strong position, will not find it so easy to walk away.
Personally I fully support the FBU on this and I hope they have the sense to make it a national and indefinite stoppage in the spring. Just in time to spoil the Afghan thing methinks. As for your stress of having to juggle commitments oh how we smile, that is exactly what you get paid so like it or leave!
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Interesting that their examples of loss are all centered around someone reaching 50 just after Apr 2013 (and hence having the retirement age raised to 55, in line with the military but still well below the state retirement age) yet it seems that anyone working to 55 gains significantly (15% or so) under the new proposals.
In itself, that sounds in line with the goverment trend and not dissimilar to what they have done to our pension recently (ie serve to 55 or get financially penalised). The only issue that isn't clear from the FBU's website (propoganda?) is whether there is an OTT for existing firemen as there was with us. If there is an OTT, then I see no problems as those that want to retire at 50 would stay on the existing scheme and those that want to serve to 55 will transfer to get the extra money. As it is, they have (and are keeping) a final salary linked pension - unlike the vast majority of the population. If they work to 55 (the same as we have to on our new scheme to get an immediate pension) they will take home more than a Wg Cdr's pension.
Without the OTT, I have sympathy for those adversely impacted, but many will also gain (and keep quiet about that aspect). With an OTT on the table, I have no symapthy at all.
In itself, that sounds in line with the goverment trend and not dissimilar to what they have done to our pension recently (ie serve to 55 or get financially penalised). The only issue that isn't clear from the FBU's website (propoganda?) is whether there is an OTT for existing firemen as there was with us. If there is an OTT, then I see no problems as those that want to retire at 50 would stay on the existing scheme and those that want to serve to 55 will transfer to get the extra money. As it is, they have (and are keeping) a final salary linked pension - unlike the vast majority of the population. If they work to 55 (the same as we have to on our new scheme to get an immediate pension) they will take home more than a Wg Cdr's pension.
Without the OTT, I have sympathy for those adversely impacted, but many will also gain (and keep quiet about that aspect). With an OTT on the table, I have no symapthy at all.
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Now then chaps, I take it that those of you who object to the firemen complaining that their pension is being delayed from 50 to 55 will all refuse your pensions for the 10 years from 55 to 65. I have a RAF pension, which has served me well over the years. How many of you will enjoy the same terms and conditions with your RAF pension now it has changed? Do the sums, and I would think most of you will be worse off. Good luck to the firefighters if they keep their FSPS, people on lesser schemes look on them with envy. As I have said, they deserve every penny in my book.
I'm with GPO, I heard on the grapeviine that they were given the same kind of OTT as we were with the AFPS (i.e. stay on the old one... unless you really really think you'll serve til 55!) Apart from that, can't say i know any details about their new pension or whether their new recruits are getting shafted... Oh well, I look forward to seeing all our spare resources out on the streets in dayglo with "Army troops fight fires" printed below their pictures...
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While I agree with the firefighters, there is always a down side.
UK Reserve Forces can't be employed on "Aid to Civil Power" (Imagin a Fireman in the TA called up to...man a fire engine) Therefore while all you regulars are likely to be held back in UK to run our fire stations, the "Weekend Warriors", me amongst them, are that bit closer to spending a few months on a mountain in Afghanistan to make up the numbers. Oh what joy.
UK Reserve Forces can't be employed on "Aid to Civil Power" (Imagin a Fireman in the TA called up to...man a fire engine) Therefore while all you regulars are likely to be held back in UK to run our fire stations, the "Weekend Warriors", me amongst them, are that bit closer to spending a few months on a mountain in Afghanistan to make up the numbers. Oh what joy.
Last edited by RayDarr; 7th Feb 2006 at 18:32.
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Originally Posted by ScapegoatisaSolution
So where will the 13,000 troops come from for Fresco as the push to the poppy fields will be in full swing at the same time?
Just send all your blankets to,
The Helpful Stacker
Under-equipped Temporary Trumpton Dept
A TA Centre
Ar$e End Of The Country
PVR N0W
I'll count them and send them straight back.