ELIN Jones and Plaid Cymru have called on the Welsh Government ensure a fair resolution to the firefighters’ pensions dispute.

As members of the Fire Brigades Union take strike action today (Wednesday), the Party of Wales has reiterated its support for fair pensions across all sectors of the economy, and has recognised the union’s efforts to hold serious negotiations on the matter.

Elin Jones, Plaid Cymru AM for Ceredigion, said: “I hope that this issue can be solved by the union and the Welsh and UK Governments returning to the negotiating table. Fire service pensions are a devolved issue. There’s no reason why the Welsh Government had to follow the Con-Dem line on this. Firefighters in Ceredigion deserve to have a fair deal on their pensions.”

The Party of Wales spokespman on Fire and Rescue Rhodri Glyn Thomas, AM for Carmarthen East and Dinefwr, said: “Plaid Cymru is clear that we want to see fair pensions for workers across all sectors of the economy. I hope that the Labour Welsh Government will go back to the negotiating table with the FBU and work towards a new offer. Failure to reach a new agreement could lead to further industrial action.

“The UK Government also has a role in setting the financial limits for devolved fire pensions in Wales. The Welsh Local Government Minister should be putting pressure on the UK Government in this regard.

“Plaid Cymru will always campaign for fairness, and we believe that a lifetime of work should be rewarded by a fair pension. It’s as simple as that.”