Firefighters, control and non-uniformed staff across Merseyside have voted “overwhelmingly” in favour of industrial action that could last up to six months.
Members of the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) across the region have backed proposals to take action short of a strike as their dispute with Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service continues. The ballot came after what the FBU described as a “serious breakdown in industrial relations” and a failure to reach agreement on several issues.
Union members took part in a ballot from October until last Friday, with those voting in favour of action reported at 88%. The action short of strike will consist of a refusal to undertake pre-arranged overtime, beginning no earlier than Thursday December 1 and potentially lasting for six months.
