Firefighters join winter walkouts as they vote for first strike in 20 years in dispute over pay
30 January 2023, 16:18 | Updated: 30 January 2023, 17:25
Firefighters have voted to go on strike over a pay dispute, their union has announced, making them the latest group of workers to walk out because of wages.
The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) said the exact dates of its members' strikes would be announced over the next few weeks unless the government offered firefighters a pay rise.
Members backed walkouts by 88% on a turnout of 73%, after earlier rejecting a 5% pay offer in November.
The FBU said it was giving the government and employers ten days to make an improved offer before deciding its next move.
The union said the strikes were "an absolute last resort", but that "firefighters have already lost at least 12% of the value of their pay since 2010".
The news comes as more than 150,000 teachers at 2,300 schools across the UK will begin walkouts on Wednesday. Workers in the NHS, railways and the postal service have all gone on several strikes in recent months, as well as staff in other industries.
Matt Wrack, General Secretary of the Fire Brigades Union, said: "Firefighters across the UK have spoken. The Fire Brigades Union has a decisive mandate for strike action.
"This is an overwhelming vote for strike action against an offer which would mean further significant cuts to real terms wages for firefighters and control room staff.
"They have already lost at least 12% 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.
"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.
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"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.
Schools Minister Nick Gibb: We just cannot allow strikes to damage children's education at this time
"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..
"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."
A government spokesperson said: “We are extremely disappointed with the Fire Brigades Union decision to strike. We are committed to keeping the public safe and have robust contingency plans in place.
“We are working closely with the National Fire Chiefs Council and partners to manage the impact of strike action, whilst ensuring we can continue to deliver vital services to the public.”
England and Wales and other services throughout the UK have seen a huge series of strike action from core services including NHS nurses, trains, buses and Royal Mail.
Along with those strikes causing havoc and chaos up and down the country, teachers and physiotherapists have also confirmed they will be walking out on a series of dates as they all fight for more pay.
Trade unions pulled together in 2022 and now 2023 to fight for more money and better working conditions for their employees as the current rate of inflation soars and the cost of living crisis continues.
