FIREFIGHTERS are to go on strike for eight consecutive days from today in a continuing row over pensions and retirement ages.
Members of the Fire Brigades Union were due to walk out from 6am to 8am and from 5pm to 7pm today.
Derby North MP Chris Williamson has defended the action and said the Government had an "unanswerable case" after firefighters were told they would have to work until they are 60.
He said: "Firefighters risk their lives on a daily basis and they wanted to negotiate this in good faith.
"The Government is entirely responsible for them taking the action. I think it is quite outrageous."
Matt Wrack, FBU general secretary, said: "We have tried every route available to us to make the Government see sense over its attacks. It is ploughing ahead, forcing firefighters to react."