Firefighters back at work after strikes
It is traditionally one of the busiest times of the year, but for the past four days firefighters in the West Midland and Staffordshire have been on strike.
Members of the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) walked out at 6pm on Friday until 6pm last night as the row over pension reforms deepened. Many took to picket lines outside stations in the Black Country and Staffordshire.
The strike came during what is one of the busiest periods of the year as it included the weekend before Bonfire Night
West Midlands Fire Service attended 269 incidents during the strike which saw it operate on less than a third of the usual number of fire engines, while Staffordshire handled 96.
The calls ranged from accidents, false alarms and fires including a house in Wednesbury where a 70-year-old man died after being overcome by fumes.
Fire crews were called to the home of grandfather Timothy Falvey, in Carisbrooke Road, Friar Park, at 7.11pm on Friday – 71 minutes after the industrial action started. They said that the fire was out when they arrived and it had occurred several hours earlier.
The West Midlands and Staffordshire fire services warned people who were planning bonfire and fireworks parties to make safety their top priority during the action.
West Midlands area commander Simon Shilton said the limited resources had been kept busy.
"Monday evening and overnight into Tuesday morning were again busy periods for us. We're grateful to the public for keeping safety in mind," he said. A series of strikes has been held over the past 18 months. The industrial action is against changes to pensions and the retirement age which the union claims could lead to firefighters losing their job if they fail fitness tests in their late 50s.
Richard Williams, of the Staffordshire FBU, said the crews were returning to stations as usual following the strike.
He added that they had received backing from the public.
"In terms of Staffordshire it has been received very well, there has been lots of support around the county," said Mr Williams.
Other incidents in the Black Country during the strike included a blaze at Atlas Refurb and Repair, Darlaston.
The fire happened in the early hours of Saturday morning, destroying a fork lift truck and causing heavy smoke damage.
Despite the industrial action, bosses said fire crews arrived at the scene quickly.
The cause of the fire, which broke out on the factory's shop floor on the Green, was not known, but is not believed to be arson.
FBU general secretary Matt Wrack said: "The FBU congratulates our members across England for the solidarity and unity that they have shown. It is still clear that our case is absolutely solid and justified.
"The Government's case for an unaffordable and unworkable pension scheme takes no account of the realities of work in the fire and rescue service."
