Firemen Strike

[iRaven]

I've got to agree with the naysayers here. Much as I don't like to admit it, the public sector merry-go-round of full pensions at 55 when most people live into their 80s have got to stop, the ConDems are right on this one.

I hope that both sides can find a little wriggle room for the FBU and Govt to save face and then everyone can calm down. I think the deal on the table is pretty fair and I don't want my kids and grand-kids paying mahoosive amounts of tax to pay for mine and the majority of the public sector workers a higher than average earnings pension (combined SERPS and Public Sector Scheme).

My advice to Mr FBU, get a small consession and quit whilst you're ahead.

iRaven

[glad rag]

Originally Posted by Leon Jabachjabicz

Al R

Well said, Sir...

Glad Rag, do you really think there is some sort of conspiracy? Have you got your tinfoil hat on and are you sitting in your Faraday's Cage? I'll let you into a secret...

...We can't afford all of the public-sector pensions that previous Governments (red and blue) have signed us up for.

LJ

Tell Ya what.

You offer to waive your pension/pension rights then come back and gloat about it.

OK.

Waiting.....

[Al R]

Glad rag,

No one is gloating.

Thanks for the advice.

[Lima Juliet]

Glad Rag

The Govt are very kindly 'adjusting' my pension for me in 2015 in the name of affordability, so no gloating or waiving required. Like others, I don't like it, but I understand why it has happened because AFPS05 was too generous when the one-eyed financial genius was squandering our cash during an economic boom.

LJ

PS. I don't believe anyone is being asked to waive their pension, are they?

[iRaven]

You offer to waive your pension/pension rights then come back and gloat about it.

Crikey, GR, are you really 52?

[mopardave]

Code:

Just my tenpennethworth:
 Having seen Firecrews in action for 14 years, when I was acting as CP for a police air support unit engaged in 24/7 HEMS at the same time; I would like to add my support to their cause.
 It's already been said that when someone signs up for the (low paid) job to start with, they do it predominently because of its standing in the community (akin to teachers/nurses/police). Money is not top of the list. If the employer offers them x,y and Z then it should be honoured - full stop. Uniquely for firepersons, theirs is much much more demanding physically and surely no-one can expect a 55 yr old fireman to act like a 25 or 35 yr old in this regard???
 The fly in the ointment is that secondary duties are few and far between and so they can't simply fall back to a second line job.
 Above all else - having arrived at hundreds of RTC's, disaster sites, et al minutes after the call has gone out, it is always the fire teams that are there already absorbing the full on blunt force, in your face disaster of bodies and pain.....and it is the same people there at the end removing the last corpse and clearing up the wreckage and personal belongings of Mr and Mrs Smith and their three children in their people carrier on the M4 in fog.
 They are subject to enormous physical and psychological trauma during that time frame and yet they NEVER EVER complain. They get on with it as a co-ordinated and well organised team.
 Now is the time for US (as recipients of their service in the past in some shape or form) to support them in something which is a fundamnetal right for nearly everyone in this forum reading this - their PENSION. Nothing more, nothing less.

 Wait for the day to come when the MoD have to work to 65 - then we will see sparks fly, won't we?		 
													 						 

Thomas Coupling............wow! Many thanks for your comments..........I really couldn't articulate it better myself! I've been to my fair share of messy jobs (and the odd major civil disturbance!) over the last quarter of a century.....I've seen some real tough nut firefighters on the verge of tears at what we've had to deal with, but we just crack on and keep ourselves sane with our traditionally black sense of humour! Like any organisation, you get good and bad, but I don't "recognise" some of the stereotypical descriptions of firefighters that I've seen on here or in the press. I'm saddened by some of the comments I've read on here.......and I'll tell you why.......because the vast majority of firefighters, myself included, have the utmost respect for the men and women of our armed forces. We don't look over the wall at the perks other people get.......because, let's face it, we all have a choice when we apply for a job don't we........if you don't like the terms, don't join! Fortunately, for me, retirement is fast approaching........but it doesn't stop me feeling sorry (and extremely self conscious) for those of my colleagues, who now find themselves working in a physically demanding job for an additional 10 years. And I'll say it again.......it's ok to squander the nations wealth, but apparently not ok to play fair with people who do the right thing. And yes, strike action is extreme, and rarely if ever successful, but some of my colleagues really are being asked to swallow a bitter pill!!!
Best
mopardave

[mopardave]

oh lord..........what happened there!