Salford fire fighters and civil servants both joined actions against the ConDem Government today…
Fire fighters were on a 24 hour strike against the Government's plans to raise their retirement age from 55 to 60, and increase pension contributions. Fire stations throughout Salford were closed in the longest strike so far in the long running dispute, following earlier shorter walk outs (see previous Salford Star article – click here)
At a rally in Piccadilly Gardens at noon today, Gary Keary Manchester FBU Brigade Chair said "We demand a solution to the no job no pension threat. The truth is that the Government won't pay for ill health pensions and our employers wish to retain the right to sack us on capability. We won't reach our pension age because we can't; the Government's own evidence shows this. Instead fire fighters will be sacked in their thousands with no pension."
Making reference to the 30th anniversary of the Miners Strike, he explained: "This Government's attacks on the public sector, trade unions and the working classes are just as vicious as uncompromising as in 1984-5. This requires us to fight as stoically and bravely as our comrades and heroes thirty years ago.
"None of us take strike action lightly, however we should not question ourselves" he added "Instead we should be proud to stand up against this Government, proud to fight for the pensions that are rightly ours and proud to be doing what's right."
Meanwhile, over at the Civil Justice Centre, Salford members of the PCS joined other civil servants for a rally as part of a national event calling for a pay rise.
"This is happening across the country because we all need a pay rise" said David Vincent of PCS "On the 10th July, UNISON, Unite, GMB and NUT are talking about a national strike where we might have a few million workers out over pay.
"From the PCS angle we've been subject to pay restraint since 1980 and that's a scandal, we've never had a decent pay rise in all that time" he added "After two years of pay freezes and last year's 1% increase it really is time."
A member of the PCS Ministry of Justice Greater Manchester Branch was scathing of the Government…"It seems ironic that those working in the Justice System are needing justice for themselves because they are having problems paying their bills whilst the bankers are still getting bonuses..."
* See also previous Salford Star article on the PCS pay dispute – click here
Main photo by Steven Speed
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