FIREFIGHTERS have voted to strike over pensions.
 

78 per cent of the members of the Fire Brigades’ Union voted to take strike action.
 

The decision could trigger the first national strike in more than a decade, although Essex has experienced other strikes in recent years.
 

Alan Chinn-Shaw, brigade secretary for the Essex branch, said: “We are hoping strike action can be avoided and an agreement reached.”
 

The union has 28 days before it has to annouce specific dates.
 

A spokesman for Essex County Fire and Rescue Service said: ““We are hopeful that a workable solution can be negotiated as soon as possible to halt any potential strike action.
 

“However, the public of Essex can be reassured that should there be industrial action by FBU members, ECFRS has resilience arrangements in place to provide fire cover.”