Planned strike action by firefighters in Dumfries and Galloway has been put on hold while union members consider a new pay offer.
The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) voted “overwhelmingly” in favour of industrial action after rejecting a five per cent increase at the end of last year.
Union officials had given the Government 10 days to make a new offer to avoid the prospect of strikes.
And that has resulted in a revised deal being tabled worth seven per cent.
Matt Wrack, FBU general secretary, said: “This offer is testament to the power of collective action through the Fire Brigades Union.
“Last year we were offered an insulting two per cent. The employers have now revised their position. We have achieved this increase because of the massive vote in favour of strike action by firefighters and control staff across the country, which made clear the strength of feeling among firefighters about cuts to their wages.
“Since 2010, the average firefighter has lost at least 12 per cent of the value of their pay.
“We will now ballot our members.
“Frontline firefighters and control room staff will make the decision on whether this pay offer is considered a real improvement.
“Our internal discussions will be honest and sober.
“While the offer is improved from last year, it still amounts to a real terms pay cut.
“Meanwhile, plans to announce a series of strike dates and industrial action will be postponed, pending the outcome of the ballot.
“Eighty-eight per cent of firefighters voted for industrial in our ballot. The mandate for strike action by firefighters remains.”
Meanwhile, a postal strike planned for next week has been cancelled after a legal challenge.
Members of the Communication Workers Union (CWU) were due to stage a 24-hour walkout from 12.30pm on Thursday, February 16 in their long-running row over pay and conditions.
But Royal Mail mounted a legal challenge claiming union officials had made a notification error.
CWU general secretary Dave Ward said: “After receiving advice from our own lawyers that, although we had a strong case ourselves, there was also risk to the union should we lose in court and, the CWU Postal Executive decided to call off the action planned for next week.”
