Greater Manchester firefighters set for biggest strike over pay in 20 years
Some workers are in "appalling" positions financially, Union bosses say
Firefighters across the Greater Manchester 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 Greater Manchester Dave Pike, said "I don't think the significance of firefighters voting for strikes across the country can be underestimated in any way, shape or form.
"It's huge, we don't underestimate what we're being asked to do here but we feel that for the future of the fire and rescue service in the country we need to make a stand.
"What we've seen over the past ten years is a chronic under-funding of the fire and rescue service in the UK, 20% of jobs being cut since 2010.
"Firefighters in this country do not want to be taking strike action, unfortunatley we've been left with no other option."
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."