FIREFIGHTERS are to stage another series of strikes starting next week in a long-running row over pensions.

Members of the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) will walk out between midday and 2pm and again between 10.59pm and 11.59pm eight days in a row between Saturday, August 9 and Saturday, August 16.

This is the latest in a long-running campaign against government proposals which union members say could see firefighters forced to work until they are 60 or face dismissal if they cannot meet fitness requirements.

FBU general secretary Matt Wrack described the plans as “absolutely ludicrous”.

“This is unsafe and unrealistic for both firefighters and the public,” he said.

“We know it and the public know it but the government will not listen to the evidence based case we have made to them”.

FBU national officer Sean Starbuck said it was “extremely disappointing” that the union had felt forced to stage more strikes.

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