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09-May-08 11:30 [Pensions]
Firefighters strike moves a step closer Firefighters in Basildon look set to go on strike after a meeting between the fire minister, the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) and Chief Fire Officers' Association failed to break the deadlock over proposed changes to pension schemes.
Currently, firemen and women can retire early should they be injured on duty and as a result, be unable to carry out all aspects of their job.
According to the FBU, the changes proposed by the government would only cover staff if they were no longer capable of performing any aspect of their job, meaning they would be offered other work until they reached retirement age, the Essex Echo reports.
Mark Kinsalla, branch secretary of Basildon fire station, told the paper that the workers were disappointed no agreement had been reached but stressed that they were not prepared to give up.
"It looks like the government is playing its cards close to its chest and waiting to see if half the delegates vote for a strike at conference. That is what we need. We are confident we will get the votes, because everyone is pretty riled up about this," he said.
The FBU represents firefighters within the Fire and Rescue Service across the UK.
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