Firefighters to strike at Christmas

Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service received a total of 20 999 calls between 6pm and 10pm on Friday and Saturday nights, eight of which required an emergency response.

Chief Fire Officer Frank Swann said: “Thankfully only a few calls were received into fire control and the Service was able to respond effectively to each of them.

“Our hope, as it has been throughout, is that the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) and the government can resume their negotiations and bring an end to this dispute as soon as possible.”

The walk out was part of a nationwide action over planned changes to fire service pensions which the FBU believe could lead to older staff being sacked or having their pensions reduced.

Sean McCallum, chairman of Nottinghamshire Fire Brigades Union, said: “It went really well. Every member of the FBU was out both nights and there was tremendous support from the union membership and from the public as well.

“We had a few donations on the picket lines and the public showed a lot of sympathy.

“Until Fire Minister Brandon Lewis decides he will get back to serious negotiations our only option is to strike.”