FIREFIGHTERS in Winchester are to strike over Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve.

They are campaigning against government changes to their pensions and are intending to walk out between 7pm and midnight on Christmas Eve, and from 6.30pm on New Year’s Eve, until 12.30am on New Year’s Day.

They will also strike between 6.30am and 8.30am on January 3.

The Fire Brigade Union is angry at the reforms, which it says will see firefighters working longer, paying more into their pensions and receiving less in retirement. They also argue reforms will mean staff working on frontline duties until they are 60.

Nigel McCullen, brigade chairman for the Fire Brigade Union in Hampshire, said: “It is a regrettable time of year to do this and nobody wants this, that’s for certain. It’s not what we want to do but unfortunately we feel we have been compelled to do it by the government’s refusal to listen to us.”

It is unclear at this stage how many crew members will walk out, but November’s strike saw six firefighters take action, although there was no picket line.

Mr Cullen said: “Winchester is typical of most fire stations and the resolve is hardening. We do not want to be in this position but because of the issues we have we really need to put this out there.”