Firefighters say they have been left with “no choice” as they prepare to take their fight pay rise fight to the Scottish Parliament this week.
It is set to be the biggest demonstration in years from the service as hundreds of firefighters and supporters take the Fire Brigade Union’s (FBU) campaign to Holyrood.
Scottish FBU secretary John McKenzie said firefighters have been risking their lives while facing thousands of pounds in real terms pay cuts.
The union has urged its members to reject the latest 5% pay offer, with a consultative ballot opening on 31 October to 14 November.
A further ballot for strike action could follow if the pay offer is rejected.
The FBU previously said firefighters were being forced to go to food banks amid the cost-of-living crisis.
Alongside the campaign for fair pay, firefighters will also take their calls to an end to service cuts and for increased staff levels to MSPs.
McKenzie said: “Firefighters risk their lives keeping the communities and people of Scotland safe.
“Taking strike action is always a last resort but our employers are increasingly leaving us with no choice.
“After a decade of cuts, firefighters and control room staff in Scotland have seen their pay cut by over £4,000 in real terms.
“The UK and Scottish Governments must fund a fair pay increase for members who keep communities and businesses safe every day of the year.
“FBU members must be made a serious pay offer that addresses the cost-of-living crisis.”
A Scottish Government spokesman said: “Firefighter pay is negotiated through UK-wide collective bargaining arrangements, which includes SFRS as the employer - the Scottish Government is not part of these arrangements.
“The Scottish Government has continued the commitment to support SFRS service delivery and modernisation with a further uplift of £9.5m for 2022-23 bringing the budget to £352.7m.”
Separately, BT and Openreach workers will stage a fresh strike today in a long-running dispute over pay.
Members of the Communication Workers Union (CWU), including 999 call handlers, will walk out for 24 hours following a wave of stoppages in recent weeks.
CWU general secretary Dave Ward said his members remained determined to continue with the action, adding: “We’re never going to walk away from this.”
The union said BT’s “imposed” pay rise of £1,500 was worth between 5% and less than 3%, well below “spiralling” inflation.
The first national industrial action in BT Group for three and a half decades took place on 29 July and 1 August, two further strikes were held at the end of August, followed by three further walkouts this month before Monday’s action.
CWU deputy general secretary Andy Kerr said: “When the 999 callers are out on strike, you know something is going very wrong in this country.
“Time and time again, we have asked for negotiations to resolve what is a dangerous dispute, only to be ignored.
“But BT Group workers are sick of this corporate arrogance, and they are determined and united.
“They will fight hard to get the proper pay rise and the dignity that they deserve.”
A BT Group spokesperson said: “We will do whatever it takes to protect 999 services, redeploying our people to the most important priority is a normal part of BT Group operations.
“We made the best pay award we could in April and we have held discussions with the CWU to find a way forward from here.
“In the meantime, we will continue to work to minimise any disruption and keep our customers and the country connected.”
CWU officials will meet major BT shareholders on Monday to warn that backing strikes is “the only thing to do”.
Maintenance and call backlogs across the UK are growing by the day as the strike action takes a grip, said the union.
Ward said: “Meeting the shareholders of BT Group is the natural next step – it should demonstrate to the company that we won’t relent until we have exposed them and changed the course of this dispute.
“Alongside these external pressures, BT workers will take further strike action if needed.
“Morale is at an all time low – we have an out of control, out of touch chief executive who is counting his money while his employees are using food banks.”
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