Nottinghamshire firefighters ‘will join’ strike – but still respond to serious incidents

The Fire Brigades Union has confirmed national plans for industrial action this week after rejecting a 5 per cent pay award from ministers.

More than 80 per cent of FBU members voted in favour of the walk-out, although no strike dates have yet been announced.

The union will meet with fire service employers – the brigades and rescue services in England – on February 8 before any announcements are made.

The FBU says it hopes to receive a revised pay offer by this date, with the East Midlands branch secretary hoping it will be “something close to inflation”.

The union says its members have experienced a 12 per cent drop in real terms earnings since 2010.

In the same period, the FBU says about one in five firefighter jobs have been cut nationally.

The strike vote came after firefighters were initially offered a 2 per cent increase.

This raise, which the East Midlands FBU says had “angered our members”, was later increased to 5 per cent, before being rejected again.

Of the 73 per cent of FBU members who voted in the ballot, 88 per cent of staff voted to take action.

But Mark Stilwell, East Midlands FBU regional chairman, says the union hopes a walk-out will not be necessary.

He said: “We definitely don’t want to strike. We’ve given employers loads of time to negotiate. We’ve extended our time and given them another week for this meeting on February 8.

“Our plan is to give them as much time as possible to come up with a solution before we have to take any industrial action.

“We need to get an offer that is acceptable to the membership. I can’t put a figure on it but it has to be something close to inflation.

“The resounding ballot and a mandate from membership mean we’re in a strong position.”

He admitted a walk-out “would cause disruption” but said the FBU has agreed firefighters would return from picket lines to respond to major incidents.

“There’s always going to be disruption but this will be minimised,” he said.

“However, we don’t want it to get to that point.”

If firefighters do go on strike, it will be the first time they have walked out over pay since 2003.

A separate strike, in 2014, was held following disputes over the Firefighters’ Pension Scheme.

Assistant Chief Fire Officer Mick Sharman, of Nottinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service, said: “Due to the ongoing national dispute over pay for firefighters, we have been preparing for how we can still deliver an effective service to our communities during any periods of industrial action.

“These plans are now at an advanced stage and we are ready to enact them should industrial action be taken.”

Trainee firefighters in Nottinghamshire currently earn £24,191 upon starting the role, rising to £32,244 when fully qualified.

Crew manager salaries are capped at £35,747, while watch managers and crew managers earn a maximum of £39,974 and £45,861 respectively.

The union expects further details on the industrial action to be provided following the meeting next week.

Coun Nick Chard, chairman of the National Employers said: "Our dedicated fire and rescue staff are rightly held in high regard by the public for their tireless efforts to help save lives and prevent fires.

“A pay award needs to strike the right balance between providing a well-deserved pay rise for fire and rescue employees and ensuring affordability for all UK services.

“The National Employers remain committed to resolving this dispute through discussion and talks with the employees’ representatives are ongoing.”

The Government has urged firefighters not to walk out.

“Strike action would be disappointing and concerning for the public,” the Prime Minister’s official spokesman said.

“We will continue to work with that union to see what we can do to mitigate against the possible risks that that poses – and in the first instance call on them to reconsider and keep negotiating.”