Ernie Clark. Hilperton Division, Wiltshire Council.

It will be between 18.30 and 23.30 hours.

As the Fire Brigade Union has called its second period of strike action, they would like to remind the public exactly what the dispute relates to and, more importantly, what it does not relate to.

The trade dispute lodged by the FBU back in May identified seven specific points, namely:

1. Protection arrangements which are a substantial improvement on the Proposed Final Agreement.

2. No further increases in member contribution rates.

3. An improved contribution ratio between employee and employer.

4. Scheme provision so that any member above the age of 55 who, not being eligible for ill health retirement, is dismissed for reasons of fitness, efficiency or any other reason except misconduct, will receive immediate payment of an unreduced pension amounting to the full pension accrued at the date of dismissal.

5. Flexible retirement with members being able to retire and draw their pension from the age of 55 and new scheme benefits taken before 60 being actuarially reduced with reference to the Normal Pension Age of 60 - the formula for that reduction being agreed with the FBU based upon advice the Union will obtain from its own independent actuary.

6. Commutation arrangements which are a substantial improvement on the Proposed Final Agreement.

7. The cost ceiling is set so that there are no reductions in pension benefits consequential upon the above provisions.

The dispute does not refer to fitness standards (determined locally and separate from the Pension Scheme) or the lowering of the Normal Pension Age (NPA) which is currently 60.