Next firefighter strike date announced

Members of the FBU, a number of whom are employed by the Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service (RBFRS), staged strike action for a total of six and a half hours in two periods last weekend, during a time at which bonfires and fireworks displays were aplenty.
During the first period of action, from 6.30pm to 11pm on November 1, the service received four calls, one of which required attendance - a small garden fire in Owlsmoor - which was out on arrival.
A further four calls were received by the service during the second period of strike action, held between 6am and 8am on Monday, none of which required attendance.
Union members have now confirmed that another strike will be held from 10am to 2pm on Wednesday, November 13, while the union has also announced the start of a further ballot for other forms of industrial action, which will close on December 4.
The RBFRS has not confirmed how many of its firefighters were involved in the strike, however stated that a number had signed a contract agreeing not to take part in any strike action when they began their employment.
During each period of strike action, emergency fire crews - who underwent training crash courses in September - are called in to attend any incidents.
Following the most recent strikes, acting assistant chief fire officer, Andy Mancey, said: “I would like to thank the public for acting on our safety advice and for helping to reduce demand by not making unnecessary 999 calls.”