UK firefighters and support staff to strike over pay dispute

If walkouts go ahead, they will be the first nationwide fire strikes over pay since 2003

Fire Brigade recruits. PA

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.

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“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.

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“[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.

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“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.