East Midlands firefighters set for biggest strike over pay in 20 years
Some workers are in "appalling" positions financially, Union bosses say
Last updated 30th Jan 2023
Firefighters across the East Midlands are set to head to the picket lines in their biggest dispute over pay in two decades.
The result of a Fire Brigades Union (FBU) ballot revealed on Monday (30th January) that the majority of members voted in favour of strike action.
In effort to avoid strike action, the Fire Brigades Union has given government ten days to come forward with a decent offer.
The FBU rejected a below-inflation pay offer in November last year, and subsequently opened a formal strike ballot the following month.
'Some are questioning how they'll pay their mortgages'
Regional Secretary for the FBU in the East Midlands, Adam Taylor, said it was "appalling" that some of his colleagues are struggling to make ends meet:
'I think it's an awful predicament that firefighters find themselves in. Not only are some using foodbanks, but they're questioning how they even get to work to get the money, to get the food or to pay the bills to heat the home - or to even pay rent or their mortgages.'
'Workers, firefighters included in that, went to work in COVID; have faced cuts for the last 12 years but are not being rewarded with key worker pay offers.'
'Our workers are making those tough decisions and those tough choices so something, quite rightly, has to change.'
The Government stated that, overall, fire and rescue authorities would receive around £2.5 billion in 2022/23.
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.
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.
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.”