THE Swindon People’s Assembly has backed firefighters in their ongoing pension dispute with the Government.

Over the last year members of the Fire Brigades Union (fbu) have taken part in national strike action on several occassions in protest at plans to increase their pension contributions and put up the retirement age from 55 to 60.

Swindon People’s Assembly held a protest outside the Civic Offices, in Euclid Street, last night to coincide with a motion put to the full council by Coun Jim Grant (Lab leader, Rodbourne Cheney).

His submission asked the council to back adequate remuneration for firefighters.

Kate Linnegar, of Swindon People’s Assembly, said: “These brave men and women have been treated very badly by the Government. I urge you to stand with them in their fight for a fair deal. This is not only about the firefighters but about all public sector workers.”

Coun Grant said: “The Government wish to raise the retirement age of all firefighters to 60 but the basis for them believing that firefighters can go on to that age without jeopardising the safety of themselves and the public is very shaky.

“Indeed the Williams Review commissioned by the Government to look in to firefighters’ retirement identifies that by lowering the minimum aerobic fitness measure for which firefighters can continue their service, there is an increase in likelihood of sudden catastrophic cardiac events.

“The Government have also failed to address the current cliff edge in the pension scheme regulations, which will mean a retiring firefighter at age 55 will face a 21.8 per cent reduction in their pension. The devolved governments in the UK have succeeded in bringing forward alternative proposals to significantly reduce this cliff edge and subsequently have succeeded in avoiding any strike action.”

The campaign group was pleased to back to the firefighters and show support for the motion considered by councillors.

Brent Thorley, Wiltshire FBU secretary, said: “It is great to see that Labour in Swindon are giving us their backing as we believe political support is the best way forward for us to resolve this.”

For more about Swindon People’s Assembly call 01793 522824 or email peoplesassemblyswindon@gmx.co.uk.