FIREFIGHTERS have announced a further series of strike dates to take place next month in a long running dispute with the government over pensions.

The action will begin on August 9 and last for eight days.

Members of the Fire Brigades’ Union will walk out between 10am and midday and 11pm until midnight each day.

There is also a long-running overtime ban. It is the latest action in almost a year-long dispute which saw eight days of action in July.

Firefighters were on strike when the fire at Averies broke out last week but did not come off the picket line.

The dispute is over plans to increase the age of retirement as well as pension contributions.

Matt Wrack, FBU general secretary, said: “It is absolutely ludicrous that a government can impose a scheme which means that firefighters will have to ride engines and rescue people from fires up to age 60.

“This is unsafe and unrealistic for both firefighters and the public.

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