FIREFIGHTERS are preparing to ballot for strike action after negotiations failed to increase an “insulting” 2% annual pay offer made on June 27.
The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) said 32,500 of its members from across the UK will vote in the coming weeks on whether to launch a campaign of industrial action.
Inflation (CPI) has been measured at 10.1% which the union said would represent a “significant” real-terms pay cut.
The 2% pay offer is part of a UK-wide pay negotiation machinery which involves 49 fire and rescue services that make its decisions based on budgets set by UK Government and the devolved nations.
The group is aiming for the ballot to be held in five weeks' time.
John McKenzie, Scottish secretary of the FBU, urged the UK and Scottish governments to fund a "fair" pay increase.
He said: "After a decade of cuts firefighters and control room staff in Scotland have seen their pay cut by £4000 in real terms. This cannot go on.
"Inflation is sitting at over 12% and food, energy and other household bills are soaring.
"The UK and Scottish Government must fund a fair pay increase for our members who keep communities and businesses safe every day of the year."
Matt Wrack, the union's general secretary, said it's not too late for a higher pay offer to be made.
He said: “Taking strike action is always a last resort. But our employers are increasingly leaving us with no choice. And there is huge anger among firefighters at falling pay.
“Firefighters must be paid fairly: there is absolutely no question when it comes to this. It is the responsibility of fire service employers to provide decent pay offers and that has not happened.
“The ball is now in the fire service employers’ court. It is not too late for them to make a much better pay offer for consideration by our members.”
The UK and Scottish governments have been approached for comment.
