Firefighters are set to walk out for four full days across the busiest weekend of the year, ending just one day before bonfire night.
And a firefighters’ leader in West Yorkshire has insisted crews are very angry.
Union members have reacted angrily to news that there is still no improved offer on their pension row by announcing the biggest strike in more than a decade.
The escalation in action, from 6pm on October 31 to 6pm on November 4, will take place over a weekend when the majority of communities and families host their bonfires and light fireworks in celebration of Guy Fawkes night.
Firefighters are protesting at changes to their pensions and retirement age, which the union has warned will lead to firemen and women facing the sack if they do not work into their 60s.
Huddersfield-based Fire Brigades Union rep, Daryl Schofield, said the strike would be the biggest since eight months of action over pay in 2002/03.
“The strike breakers and resilience workers will be severely tested by this,” he warned
“We’re absolutely appalled and very very angry.
“There will be no cover from FBU members on the busiest weekend of the year.
“It’s an awful situation, I don’t want to walk out but my resolve has been tested and I have no worries about going out as I feel the Government don’t care about firefighters.
“This is possibly one of the most dangerous weekends of the year.
“It’s very sad that this has happened.”
A total of 46 smaller strikes by members of the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) have taken place over the past 18 months.
The FBU said the Westminster government was now “isolated”, as improved terms had been offered to their colleagues in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
