Firefighters preparing ballot on strike action claiming that two per cent pay offer amounts to a real terms cut amid soaring inflation and a wave of industrial action from council staff, postal workers and even barristers
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Firefighters and firefighter control staff are preparing for a ballot on strike action after no improvement on a two per cent annual pay offer, arguing it amounts to a real terms pay cut.
The move follows consultations in Fire Brigade Union (FBU) branches and a meeting of the executive council on Friday after "multiple parties" made representations but no change has been tabled since June 27.
Currently, inflation is sitting at 10.1 per cent leading the union to make the point that a two per cent pay offer represents a significant real-terms pay cut.
The aim is for the ballot to be held in five weeks’ time.
Matt Wrack, general secretary of the Fire Brigades Union, said: “Taking strike action is always a last resort. But our employers are increasingly leaving us with no choice. And there is huge anger among firefighters at falling pay.
“Firefighters must be paid fairly: there is absolutely no question when it comes to this. It is the responsibility of fire service employers to provide decent pay offers and that has not happened.
“The ball is now in the fire service employers’ court. It is not too late for them to make a much better pay offer for consideration by our members.”
John McKenzie the Scottish Secretary of the union said: "After a decade of cuts firefighters and control room staff in Scotland have seen their pay cut by £4000 in real terms. This cannot go on.
"Food, energy and other household bills are soaring. The UK and Scottish governments must fund a fair pay increase for our members who keep communities and businesses safe every day of the year."
