Firefighters have rejected a 5% pay offer, meaning they could strike. The decision to reject the offer has paved the way for a ballot on industrial action.
Members of the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) voted against the offer by 79%. The union’s executive will now decide the next step, expected to be a ballot on strike action.
FBU general secretary Matt Wrack, said: “FBU members have spoken. This result, on a two-week turnaround, shows that there is remarkable strength of feeling amongst firefighters and control staff on this derisory pay offer.
“The ball is in the employers’ and Government’s court. There is still an opportunity to resolve this dispute and we will be writing to Fire Ministers and Government departments across the UK requesting urgent meetings.
“We have firefighters using foodbanks. Our members worked through the pandemic to help protect their communities, taking on extra duties to do so.
“A further real-term pay cut is an absolutely disgusting way to thank them. Whilst strike action is always a last resort, our members simply can’t go on like this.”
