Nottinghamshire's fire service has said it is 'delighted' that firefighter strikes will be avoided after a pay rise was agreed nationally. On February 2, Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service warned communities firefighters across the county were likely to take part in industrial action, as part of a national dispute over pay.
But now this dispute has now been resolved nationally, with the unions accepting a 7 percent pay rise for their members, with a further 5 percent effective from July 2023. The Fire Brigade Union (FBU) said 96 percent of its members voted to accept the pay offer, on an 84 percent turnout.
The fire service was originally offered a pay rise of just two percent. Assistant Chief Fire Officer Mick Sharman, of Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service, said: “We had plans in place for how we were going to serve and protect Nottingham and Nottinghamshire during any periods of industrial action, but we would have had a reduced service so I am delighted this has been resolved.
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“Firefighters play a vital role in supporting communities, and not by just responding to fires. They also check homes, businesses and places of interest are safe; rescue animals and people who are trapped or stuck at height; and respond to emergencies on our roads and in open waters.
“I would like to thank everyone who took the opportunity to check that their home or business was safe, by following the advice on our website. For more information about fire safety in the home or in a commercial setting, please visit www.notts-fire.gov.uk."
The result makes the Fire and Rescue Service one of the only areas of the public sector to resolve its pay dispute without strike action. Matt Wrack, Fire Brigades Union General Secretary, said: "The overwhelming vote by FBU members to accept the improved offer means that the dispute is resolved on terms that are favourable to firefighters.
"We pay tribute to members of our union for their determination and unity throughout the past year. Firefighters will now receive two pay increases, including nine months of back pay.
"This result is testament to the power of collective action. Without the huge mandate for strike action by firefighters last month, this deal would never have been achieved. We moved our employers from 2 percent in June last year, to 5 percent in November, and now to 7 percent plus 5 percent with an agreement to immediate talks on other areas where have concerns over pay.
“The crucial mechanism for achieving this outcome was direct negotiations with Fire and Rescue Service employers. With collective bargaining, we were able to make our case and avoid industrial action. This would not have been possible with so-called “independent” Pay Review Body. Under a pay review body strike action would have been inevitable and the government needs to wake up to that fact.
"The FBU leadership has been determined not to sugar-coat the offer. For the current year, 7 percent is still another real terms pay cut. For the following year (July 2023 to July 2024), when inflation is forecast to be lower, 5 percent may amount to a slight increase in real terms pay."
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