Firefighters back strike action over pay so Highland stations could be affected if a ‘decent offer’ is not tabled within ten days
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Firefighters have voted to walk out over pay after being balloted for most of the last two months amid a standoff with the UK government.
The Fire Brigade Union confirmed that 88 per cent of those voting backed industrial action with a turnout of 73 per cent.
In the last few months, airport, Scotrail, council and teaching staff have all gone on strike while more walkouts are expected from nurses and ambulance staff too.
- Scottish Ambulance Service to strike in November as GMB union slams Scottish health secretary Humza Yousaf
- ScotRail warns customers as disruption as latest RMT Network Rail strike action set to halt train services in the Highlands
- Highland Council confirms that all schools will be closed during strike action
- UPDATE: Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd responds to strike date confirmation
In November the FBU membership rejected a five per cent pay offer and are now calling on the government and employers to come back with a “decent offer.”
Ten days for an 'improved offer'
It added that, in the hope of averting strike action, the FBU said it will wait ten days for an improved offer which could be put to a vote of members.
The union argues the pay dispute follows more than a decade of real terms pay cuts and would be the first nation-wide fire strike over pay since 2003.
Firefighters are confident of retaining public support despite the vital roles they play in keeping people safe as they claim that 58 per cent of public back the strike.
'This is an absolute last resort'
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."
