Scottish firefighters pull back from strike threat

Firefighters in Scotland have pulled back from the threat of strikes over pensions, but industrial action in other parts of the country remains a “strong possibility”.

The Fire Brigades Union said proposals from the Scottish Government were sufficient to prevent a strike. But it warned of possible fresh walkouts in England and Wales, where firefighters went on strike last month.

In a statement to members, the union’s executive council said: “By majority vote, Scottish members have decided that the Scottish Government’s proposal is sufficient to avoid strike action at this time.

“Scottish members have made it very clear during the briefing meetings that the proposals do not satisfy all parts of the trade dispute.

“However, Scottish members have recognised that significant improvements have been made so far on the issue of fitness capability and the threat of ‘no job, no pension’, the improved protection arrangements and the improved actuarial reductions for retirements from age 55.”

The union said the Scottish Government’s offer represented an improvement to the “unacceptable” proposals set out for firefighters in England and Wales.