Firefighters to Strike...

[Longweekend]

These guys certainly know when the best time is for them to go on strike, they apparently already have the best pension in the public sector.....

[joebloggs]

I believe they also pay for it

Recent pensions contributions increases, to 14.2% for most firefighters, meant they were now one of the highest in the public sector,

unlike many public sector workers, they risk their lives, and the gov wants them to work until they are 60

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-28166635

[Longweekend]

I don't see a problem with that, people aged sixty are not exactly geriatric....

[joebloggs]

I don't see a problem with that, people aged sixty are not exactly geriatric....

My misses sees a problem with it. All the firemen she has seen, have bad backs in their 50s - never mind 60

[Longweekend]

Why are the firemen so special? If a builder or a manual worker is not allowed to retire until they are 65, why should they retire at 55 with an index-linked pension? ....

[Dedworth]

I don't see a problem with that, people aged sixty are not exactly geriatric....

Modern safety equipment, nanny state health & safety, massive reduction in call out...............

Firemen are heroic but the emotional blackmail of their union hides the fact they're very underworked

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/debate/ar...#ixzz3Hkhafx34
Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook

[joebloggs]

Why are the firemen so special? If a builder or a manual worker is not allowed to retire until they are 65, why should they retire at 55 with an index linked pension?....

They pay 14.7% of their wage into their pension, they have to carry heavy equipment never mind a person; you really think a 60-yr-old can do that ?

They risk their lives and don't get any thanks from some people until they've gone into a burning building and saved a person's life.

[joebloggs]

Modern safety equipment, nanny state health & safety, masive reduction in call out...............

Firemen are heroic but the emotional blackmail of their union hides the fact they're very underworked

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/debate/ar...#ixzz3Hkhafx34
Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook

Funny Dedworth, if they were in the army or other services you would be sticking up for them, but if they are firemen or police officers then it's a different story

[Dedworth]

They pay 14.7% of their wage into their pension, they have to carry heavy equipment never mind a person; you really think a 60-yr-old can do that ?

They risk their lives and don't get any thanks from some people until they've gone into a burning building and saved a person's life.

And like the Army (but not the bloated coppers) they have to pass regular realistic fitness tests. My neighbour a couple of doors away is a fireman, decent bloke, nice standard of living, plenty of time for him to stay at home, pick up the kids or do his 2nd job

[joebloggs]

And like the Army ( but not the bloated coppers) they have to pass regular realistic fitness tests. My neighbour a couple of doors away is a fireman, decent bloke, nice standard of living, plenty of time for him to stay at home, pick up the kids or do his 2nd job

Well Dedworth, maybe he's working while you're fast asleep, they work shifts - unlike most people

And some already have an annual fitness test

[les_taxi]

Well funnily enough, I never knew people were forced into being firemen - I thought they could choose their own careers!

No-one is going to deny the work they do, of course not, but they get the every woman loves a fireman vote, and I know a few who are able to earn nice extra cash posing as plumbers and Taxi drivers in their spare time.

Not because they are skint but they like the money

[Dedworth]

My Mrs is working nights this Sunday - Tuesday and she doesn't have a grasping union making unrealistic demands

Spot on Les - Joes in his usual govt/employer bashing fantasy land. Nigh on impossible to get into the fire service - too many takers - I wonder why ?

[joebloggs]

Well funnily enough, I never knew people were forced into being firemen - I thought they could choose their own careers!

No-one is going to deny the work they do, of course not, but they get the every woman loves a fireman vote, and I know a few who are able to earn nice extra cash posing as plumbers and Taxi drivers in their spare time.

Not because they are skint but they like the money

Funnily enough Les, no one forces people to join the Army either, but they can do no wrong in your eyes - even when they are caught with an illegal firearm

Well, I'm sure you would start praising them if they saved your life

[joebloggs]

My Mrs is working nights this Sunday - Tuesday and she doesn't have a grasping union making unrealistic demands

Spot on Les - Joe's in his usual govt/employer bashing fantasy land. Nigh on impossible to get into the fire service - too many takers - I wonder why ?

Is that your problem, your misses is not in a union ?

[Michael Parnham]

If I was a Fireman I would just accept whatever decision is made and carry on working!

[Dedworth]

Is that your problem, your misses is not in a union ?

She's in the RCN & it's not a problem for me

[joebloggs]

If I was a Fireman I would just accept what decision is made and carry on working!

Why should they? We're not in China or Russia, they have a legal right to protest or strike

You think you could do a fireman's job at 60 ?

[joebloggs]

She's in the RCN & it's not a problem for me

So being a member of the RCN is ok with you, but being a member of any other union you have a problem with?

[les_taxi]

well I'm sure you would start praising them if they saved your life

You're doing it again - ignoring my comment!

No-one is going to deny the work they do, of course not

The other quote that the Army can do no wrong in my eyes is pretty much correct

[joebloggs]

You're doing it again ignoring my comment!

The other quote that the Army can do no wrong in my eyes is pretty much correct

Denying what Les, the job they do? You mean they risk their lives daily ? Pity you cant post some praise for them

[Dedworth]

So being a member of the RCN is ok with you, but being a member of any other union you have a problem with?

You're drifting off topic again Joe. I'm against unions led by dinosaurs making unreasonable demands ie, the shower at Grangemouth

[joebloggs]

You're drifting off topic again Joe. I'm against unions led by dinosaurs making unreasonable demands ie, the shower at Grangemouth

So you're in favour of unions? , what are unreasonable demands, like trying to save your job?

[joebloggs]

nice standard of living, plenty of time for him to stay at home, pick up the kids or do his 2nd job

I bet he's not getting £750,000 a yr while moonlighting as a Tory MP. He should be sacked

A Tory MP who rakes in vast sums from his “second job” as a barrister has skipped meetings in Parliament to appear in court.

Stephen Phillips QC was embroiled in a complex High Court business case for six days this week and last while the House of Commons was in session.

During that time, he missed two meetings of the Commons Public Accounts Committee – despite being appointed to the panel only last month.

His salary as an MP is £67,060 but he earned £750,000 as a barrister in 2012 alone

read more here ...... http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news...-ducks-4539430

[SimonH]

i bet he's not getting £750,000 yr while moonlighting as a Tory MP, he should be sacked



read more here ...... http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news...-ducks-4539430

And that has what to do with firemen going on strike?

[joebloggs]

And that has what to do with firemen going on strike?

I doubt firemen would go on strike if they got paid £750,000 a year or even £69k !!

Dedworth's neighbour has so much time on his hands he does a second job. I presume he doesn't leave his fireman job to go moonlighting - unlike this Tory MP

It's good to see you support the firemen and police too

[les_taxi]

I think firemen do a brave job. Never said they didn't. But I praise the Army more. Far more soldiers die and lose limbs than firemen. Soldiers don't strike either!

[joebloggs]

I think fireman do a brave job. Never said they didn't.

And you never said they did!

[Ako Si Jamie]

The average fireman gets nearly 30k per year down in Dedworth's neck of the woods, which seems a bit low to me, but considering they also receive nearly £20 p/h overtime, that kinda makes up for it IMO.

http://www.rbfrs.co.uk/job_ff_wt_pay.html

[joebloggs]

The average fireman gets nearly 30k per year down in Dedworth's neck of the woods, which seems a bit low to me, but considering they also receive nearly £20 p/h overtime, that kinda makes up for it IMO.

http://www.rbfrs.co.uk/job_ff_wt_pay.html

If that's true, and Dedworth's neighbour can get £20 o\t then why is he doing another second job? Maybe there is no O/T to be done

And £29k a yr wouldn't buy you much up norf - never mind in Berks

[les_taxi]

And you never said they did!

No need to say it, it's taken as read. Remember massive strikes years ago, soldiers to the rescue - having to man the green godesses.