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Firefighters to vote on strike after rejecting 5% pay offer | Politics news

Firefighters will begin a strike vote in the latest labor dispute over below-inflation pay offers.

The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) said the “historic vote” came after its members rejected a 5% pay rise.

The FBU noted that inflation is currently at a record 11.1% and said firefighters and control officers needed a “substantial pay rise” that reflected the cost of living crisis.

Matt Reck, general secretary of the Fire Brigades Union, said: “This is a historic vote for firefighters and dispatch staff. We are rarely taken to this level.

“Nobody wants to be in that position. After years of ridiculous pay rises and a pay offer that is well below inflation, the living standards of firefighters and control staff are in jeopardy.’

Mr Wrack said firefighters were using food banks and “we know this because FBU officials had to sign off on members going to them”.

He added: “Firefighters and control staff have been working throughout the pandemic and firefighters have taken on extra responsibilities, including moving the deceased. They have now been offered wages below inflation. It’s an absolute disgrace to call people ‘key workers’ and then treat them with them like this.”

The union warned last week that it would formally issue a notice of vote if its demands were not met by Monday.

With that deadline passed, members will have the opportunity from December 5 to January 30 to vote on whether to call a strike

The FBU said the government “does not have a direct role in pay negotiations” but they “provide a significant amount of funding for fire and rescue services”.

Payment negotiations are conducted with representatives of employers – usually local authorities.

However, the FBU insists that “a big factor in all of this is central funding”.

The vote comes as the UK faces a winter of discontent as workers across industries look to walk away over pay and working conditions.

Read more:
Which industries are on strike and why

Nurses, railway workers, civil servants and teachers are among tens of thousands expected to take mass action as recession grips Britain and cost of living rises.

Ministers insisted they can’t afford to give strikers pay raises that beat inflation.

But Labor has criticized the government for refusing to negotiate with unions.

“Possibilities of agreement” on the railway dispute

Members of the Rail Maritime and Transport (RMT) union are to stage a new wave of strikes next month at Network Rail and 14 rail operators, paralyzing services.

Disputes over pay, work and working conditions remain deadlocked despite months of negotiations and protests.

In a letter to RMT chief Mick Lynch published today, Transport Minister Mark Harper insisted his role was one of “facilitation and support, not negotiation”.

“Negotiations between trade unions and employers will continue, but I see an opportunity to come to an agreement,” he said.

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