Firefighters and control room staff in the UK have voted overwhelmingly to strike in a dispute over pay.
Walkouts were backed by 88 per cent of gathered members of the Fire Brigades Union, who earlier rejected a 5 per cent pay offer. Seventy-three per cent of members voted.
The government and employers have been given 10 days by the union to make an improved offer before deciding its next move.
If they go ahead, the strikes will be the first nationwide fire strikes over pay since 2003.
FBU members rejected a below-inflation 5 per cent pay offer last November.
The union said the vote on industrial action follows more than a decade of real-terms pay cuts.
Polling shows public support for strike action by firefighters is strong, with three in five people backing action, said the union.
UK ambulance workers go on strike again - in pictures
-
Ambulance workers on the picket line outside Croydon Street Ambulance Station in Bristol. Thousands of members of Unison, Unite and the GMB unions are set to walk out across England and Wales. PA -
General secretary of Unite, Sharon Graham, joins ambulance workers on the picket line at the North West Ambulance Service in Chorley. Getty -
An ambulance worker wears a Rishi Sunak mask outside Royal Liverpool University Hospital. PA -
A picket line in Chorley. Getty -
Ambulance workers on the picket line outside the Donnington Ambulance Hub. PA -
People take part in a strike outside Aintree University Hospital in Liverpool. Reuters
“Firefighters across the UK have spoken. The Fire Brigades Union has a decisive mandate for strike action," said general secretary Matt Wrack.
“This is an overwhelming vote for strike action against an offer that would mean further significant cuts to real-terms wages for firefighters and control room staff.
“They have already lost at least 12 per cent of the value of their pay since 2010.
“This is an absolute last resort for our members. The responsibility for any disruption to services lies squarely with fire service employers and government ministers.
UK nurses strike again as patients warned of 'inevitable' impact - in pictures
-
Members of the Royal College of Nursing on the picket line outside King's College Hospital, London, as nurses strike over pay. PA -
Nurses working for South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust outside the James Cook Hospital in Middlesbrough. Getty -
This is the second two-day strike over pay by nurses. Getty -
A strike outside King's College Hospital in London. Getty -
A picket line in Middlesbrough. Getty -
Nurses on the picket line outside the Norfolk And Norwich University Hospital. PA
“[British Prime Minister] Rishi Sunak’s government has refused to make funding available for a decent pay offer to firefighters and control staff.
“Firefighters were among Britain’s Covid heroes who kept frontline services going during the pandemic. The prime minister has badly misjudged the public mood by imposing pay cuts on key workers.
“Our members risk their health and safety, and sometimes their lives, round the clock to keep people safe and serve their communities.
“However, with inflation and energy bills rocketing, they are now increasingly struggling to pay the bills or to afford the basics.
“The government and the employers have the power to stop strikes from happening by making a credible offer that can resolve this dispute. The ball is in their court.
Winter strikes in Britain - in pictures
-
Protesters march through Trafalgar Square, towards Downing Street, London, during a nurses' strike. PA -
A rally in support of striking Amazon workers outside the retailer's warehouse in Coventry. Reuters -
Members of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy on the picket line outside London's St Thomas' Hospital as they strike for the first time. PA -
Teachers gather at The Mound in central Edinburgh to highlight the need for a fair pay deal for Scotland's teachers as they continue to take strike action. PA -
Paramedic Gabriel McComish, on the picket line outside the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast, as thousands of health and social care workers in Northern Ireland take part in strike action. PA -
Ambulance workers on the picket line outside London Ambulance Service NHS Trust control room in Waterloo, London. PA -
Ambulance workers gather at a picket line in Waterloo, London. AFP -
Members of the Educational Institute of Scotland teaching union join a rally outside the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh. PA -
Striking ambulance workers outside the NHS London Ambulance Service HQ in London. Reuters -
Passengers at a busy King's Cross station in London after a strike by RMT union members. PA -
Driving examiners on a PCS picket line outside Goodmayes Driving Test Centre in London. EPA -
Nurses and supporters march towards Downing Street after a day of strike action in London. Getty Images -
Travellers waiting for Euston station to open in London. Getty Images -
A warning sign at Heathrow Airport in London. Bloomberg -
A packed concourse at London Euston station on Christmas Eve. Getty Images -
Striking Border Force workers picket at Gatwick Airport. EPA -
Armed forces personnel drive an ambulance as paramedics, ambulance technicians and call handlers strike in England and Wales. PA -
A notice about strike action outside Mount Pleasant Mail Centre in Farringdon, as Royal Mail workers stage strikes. PA -
Ambulance workers and supporters gather outside Brent Ambulance Station in London. Getty Images -
Members of the Fire and Rescue Service join demonstrators on a picket line at Manchester Ambulance Station. Getty Images -
Ambulances outside the West Midlands Ambulance Service headquarters in Coventry during a strike. PA
“We have delayed calling strikes to allow the employers to meet us and to make a new offer. I hope they take that opportunity.
“Otherwise, in the coming weeks, we intend to announce a series of strike dates and industrial action.”
Yvette Cooper, shadow home secretary, supported the firefighters and back-up staff.
"Firefighters run towards danger when the rest of us run away," Ms Cooper said.
“They put their lives and their health at risk to rescue others and they need fair pay and conditions.
“No one, including firefighters themselves, wants a strike.
“It is this Conservative government’s reckless behaviour that has crashed the economy, and their failure to get a grip on inflation means working people are struggling more and more.
“This is their mess to fix.
“It’s up to the Home Secretary [Suella Braverman] to get around the table and talk. She should be doing everything she possibly can to negotiate a deal and prevent a strike.”
Downing Street said the prospect of a walkout by firefighters and control room staff would be “concerning” for the public.
“We will continue to work with that union to see what we can do to mitigate against the possible risks that that poses – and in the first instance call on them to reconsider and keep negotiating,” Mr Sunak's official spokesman said.
