Get involved...
Get involved: send your pictures, video, news and views by texting ECHONEWS to 80360, or email us Click here for details »
Pension anger for firefighters
9:29am Tuesday 29th April 2008
Comments (5)Changes to firefighters' pensions have been labelled "morally flawed".
Essex's chief fire officer David Johnson has vowed to fight the Government over proposed alterations to the Firefighters' Pension Scheme.
There are fears that proposed changes to the ill-health provision part of the pensions plan will create a system similar to the current, controversial, Army compensation scheme.
The Army scheme has recently been criticised for its low payments offered to injured servicemen.
Under the current pension scheme, firefighters who are injured in the line of duty and cannot carry out all the aspects of their job are allowed to retire early with an ill-health pension.
The proposed new rules will mean that any firefighter who is injured, no matter how seriously, and can fulfil any one part of the role of a firefighter, may be offered alternative work within the service.
If an alternative job does not exist, then the firefighter could be asked to leave, but would be unable to take his or her pension.
Mr Johnson, head of Essex County Fire and Rescue Service, said: "I am disappointed that no one seems to be prepared to move on this issue and Essex firefighters have my full backing in their attempts to lobby for change.
"I remain convinced that the proposed new guidance is morally flawed, and will do everything I can to support a return to the 2004 guidance."
Your Say YourEcho
Local Boy, Hawkwell says...
4:22pm Tue 29 Apr 08
Additionally I look at the appalling pension provision many of us not in public service will endure when we come to retire and I wonder what it is all about?
Big business took huge pension holidays in the money grabbing 1980's because pension funds were in surplus, the benefit going to the shareholders.
Now company pension funds are struggling all of these greedy businesses want to opt out of their responsibilities.
I can't help but think why should I as a taxpayer pay for luxurious risk free pensions for the public sector, when I will never have an opportunity to develop same?
blackhawk, southend says...
6:06pm Tue 29 Apr 08
Who are the first to receive pats on the back when a national emergency is handles so professionally - think 7/7 - ? The emergency services.
Who do the government allow to live in squalor? The armed forces.
To whom do the government refuse to give a promised pay rise? The police.
Whose pensions are they robbing? The fireman.
It wouldn't be so bad if the government ministers and MPs weren't sticking their noses so deep into the trough of OUR money. Just think Mr. Speaker, Mandelson, Blair and all those whiter-than-white politicians. On, nearly forgot - Gordon Brown who flogged off our gold.
The firemen are another group to form the "Summer of Discontent".
Tony BLAIRE (retired), Used to be No.10 says...
8:00pm Tue 29 Apr 08
Bovvered, colchester says...
2:49pm Tue 3 Jun 08
In this section
- Cyclist killed in crash
- Growing demand for good life threatens plotholders
- Park's £3.5m wildlife haven taking shape
- Special school gets a £3,000 boost
- Eyes down for bingo at Bowers social club
- Martina vows to find body of last missing moors victim
- Fate of £35m sports village to be decided
- Builders start on school revamp
- Pollution levels tested after 200 fish die in river
- A127 to be widened at Progress Road to beat the jams
Sponsored Links
Local Advertisers
Local Information
Enter your postcode, town or place name
dids, Essex says...
11:28am Tue 29 Apr 08