The size of fire service bosses' pay has been slammed by a union chief as firefighters face "in work poverty". Greater Manchester's Chief Fire Officer, Dave Russel earns £172,205 a year - joint fourth highest for his rank out of 48 brigades in England.
Mr Russel is leading cultural change and improving the regional service's performance after it was criticised in reports. He is popular amongst firefighters and has publicly remained silent over potential strike action by crews. But his salary and that of other chief officers dwarfs the £32, 244 that a fully qualified firefighter earns.
As reported in the Manchester Evening News firefighters have started a strike ballot after there was no improvement on a five percent pay offer. It raises the real prospect of crews walking out over for pay for the first time in 20 years.
