A firefighter has criticised the "obscene" pay on offer to reserves who could be called on during a strike. South Wales Fire and Rescue Service is advertising for auxiliary reserve firefighters who would be paid up to £70 per hour.
Firefighters and control room staff across the UK are set to vote on strike action having rejected the offer of a 5% pay increase. And the South Wales service has posted an online advert showing that auxiliary reserves – who can perform a limited set of firefighting duties – could be paid far more per hour than a fully-trained firefighter. The advert says the reserves will be offered:
- Up to £13.59 per hour during initial training, "ad hoc training", or "additional duties"
- Up to £261.37 for attending a quarterly "re-familiarisation training day"
- Up to £261.37 as a quarterly retainer payment if training days are attended
- Up to £70 per hour for being employed during industrial action as an auxiliary reserve firefighter.
