Firefighters warn of potential strikes as union rallies to protest cuts
Members of the FBU from across Scotland gathered in Glasgow's George Square on Thursday
Firefighters in Scotland are warning they may have "no other option" but to take strike action, if an anticipated £36 million in cuts to the service go ahead.
Hundreds of Fire Brigades Union members gathered for a rally at George Square in Glasgow on Thursday in protest against savings expected to be required at the fire service over the next four years.
The demo was addressed by union officials and politicians including Green MSP Maggie Chapman and Labour's Pauline McNeill.
FBU Scottish secretary John McKenzie warned that members could consider walking out if the Scottish Government does not heed their concerns.
He said: "Our members take this really seriously.
"The Scottish Government have an opportunity to listen to their concerns. They can show that in their budget in December.
"If they fail to do that, they will leave our members with no other option but to consider industrial action, and that industrial action will be up to and including strike action.
"Our members' morale has been chipped away at over the last 10 years.
"It ultimately means they can provide less of a service to the public."
Mr McKenzie said the Government is yet to reply after the FBU wrote to ministers over the anticipated cuts.
FBU general secretary Matt Wrack also addressed the rally on Thursday.
He said: "We are proud of what we do but there is a price to pay from communities and Government.
"We demand a return to decent levels of investment, decent fire engines, decent procedures, training... all the things that we need to plan, protect and intervene to tackle fires and other emergencies, and we make no apologies for making those demands.
"We went to the Scottish Parliament some months ago, we will be back at the Scottish Parliament later this autumn.
"We are going nowhere"
"We are going nowhere, this is just the start of our campaign and we will fight until we win."
A Scottish Government spokesman said: "The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service is a vital service which is why, despite difficult financial circumstances due to UK Government austerity, we are providing it with more than £368 million this year, an increase of £14.4 million on 2023/23.
"We are also maintaining frontline services, with a higher number of firefighters in Scotland than other parts of the UK, and we are pleased firefighters have also recently accepted an improved pay offer."