Humberside fire brigades union hopes strike action can be averted

Firefighters in East Yorkshire and Northern Lincolnshire are hoping a strike can be averted despite a ballot yesterday backing a walkout.

If it goes ahead it would be the first industrial action of its kind in 20 years.

Meetings will take place after unions rejected the current 5 per cent put forward with hopes an improved offer may mean the walkouts can be avoided.

A government spokesperson said they were extremely disappointed with the decision to strike and they're committed to keeping the public safe and have robust contingency plans in place.

Further meetings will take place

We spoke to Gavin Marshall who's the secretary of the Humberside Fire Brigades Union.

He told us: "What we're hoping for is a significant increase to the offer we previously had."

"We started off at 2 per cent, we ended up at 5."

The ball's now in their court

"Now they have one last chance to put a decent offer in there that can go back to the membership and then the membership - the fire fighters out there - will make that decision."

"The ball's now in their court."

"The Chief Fire officers and the Chairs of the fire authorities will meet on the 6th to discuss what they may be able to offer from their budgets."

"Any kind of increase to pay also needs to be matched by central Government."

"On the 8th of February we're hoping this 88 per cent vote of yes will make them come to the table with a revised offer."

"That offer will then be offered to the members to hopefully accept and avoid any disruption."