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.
A union chief said today that after "years of derisory pay offers" firefighters were having to use foodbanks. He said the ballot was a "last resort" and urged the government to intervene to resolve the stalemate. Earlier this month, crews and control staff voted overwhelmingly to snub the offer in what union bosses said displayed a "remarkable strength of feeling". It was a three percent increase on an offer made in the summer.
Nationally 79% voted to reject the 5% offer, with 78% of eligible Fire Brigades Union members voting in the ballot. That ballot was a consultative ballot of union members on the 5% pay offer and not a ballot for strike action. Around 32,500 members took part in the vote.
