Merseyside firefighters hold off on strikes amid pay offer
If strikes had gone ahead, they would have been the first UK-wide fire strikes for the last 20 years.
Strike action by firefighters have been held off while union members consider an increased pay offer.
During talks lastnight, fire service employers put forward a revised offer, which includes a 7% pay rise backdated to July and another 5% from this July.
Merseyside FBU Brigade Secretary Ian Hibbert told us how he feels about the decision.
He said: “I’m sure this announcment will be welcomed by some, however it would be remiss of me not to highlight that this so called improved offer reprisents not only a real terms paycut for 2022 but a real terms paycut for 2023 also.
“It’s my personal opinion that by failing to offer firefighters a real terms cost of living pay increase a national fire strike is now still a very real possibility for firefighters across the UK”
The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) will now ballot members on the deal.
If they had gone ahead, they would have been the first UK-wide fire strikes for the last 20 years.
The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) called for a “significant shift” from employers following a huge vote for industrial action over a 5% pay offer.
The FBU rejected the below-inflation offer in November last year, and subsequently opened a formal strike ballot in December.
The ballot revealed, on the 30th January, that 88% of FBU members voted in favour of strikes.
FBU general secretary Matt Wrack, said: "The reason for that massive vote to strike is simple: firefighters are dealing with financial hardship and the growing threat of 'in work' poverty, with a real-terms cut to their wages.
"They are struggling to pay the bills during the cost-of-living crisis that this Government is presiding over.
"Going on strike is an absolute last resort for firefighters.