UK
Firefighter strike threat looms after union members reject 5% pay offer As fears increase over growing number of public sector walkouts
Fire Brigades Union (FBU) said members voted by 79 per cent against the offer
It comes amid a wave of action after nurses and civil servants balloted for strike
By ELENA SALVONI FOR MAILONLINE
14 November 2022
Firefighters have overwhelmingly rejected a five per cent pay offer, making strike action in the service increasingly likely.
The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) said members voted by 79 per cent against the 'disgusting' pay offer and that it would fail to support firefighters, some of whom have turned to foodbanks.
The union's executive will now decide the next step, which is expected to be a ballot on strike action.
It comes amid a wave of industrial action across the public sector and amongst key workers - with nurses, civil servants, train drivers and postal workers all balloting for action or going on strike in recent weeks.
Members of the Fire Brigades Union have overwhelmingly rejected a five per cent pay offer. Pictured here taking part in a demonstration outside the Scottish Parliament in October
The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) encouraged its 300,000 members to back strikes over the Government's 'insulting' pay offer — which amounts to roughly 4 per cent, or £1,400.
It confirmed last week that around 100 hospitals in England will be affected by the disruption.
Hundreds of thousands of nurses are set to walk out across the UK before Christmas in a bid for a 17.6 per cent pay rise and better working conditions.
Health Secretary Steve Barclay said the action is 'neither reasonable nor affordable' and that the request rise would 'turbocharge inflation'.
Around 100,000 civil servants also voted to strike this week in a dispute over pay, pensions and jobs.
Chancellor Jeremy Hunt has been reported to be considering a limit on public sector pay rises to just 2 per cent in 2023/24, a move which would see a real terms pay cut as inflation hovers around 10 per cent.
The Chancellor's Autumn statement will reveal all on Thursday, but he has warned Brits that he will have to make 'horrible' decisions as he tries to rescue the economy.
FBU general secretary Matt Wrack, said after the news was announced: 'FBU members have spoken'. Pictured here at a rally earlier this month
Public sector workers' pay will only be decided next year, with the Chancellor set to give an outline this week of what different departments will be able to afford.
In the latest show of workers' discontent amid the cost of living crisis, the FBU said it's members' vote has shown 'there is remarkable strength of feeling amongst firefighters and control staff on this derisory pay offer'.
FBU general secretary Matt Wrack, said: 'FBU members have spoken.
'The ball is in the employers' and Government's court. There is still an opportunity to resolve this dispute and we will be writing to Fire Ministers and Government departments across the UK requesting urgent meetings.
'We have firefighters using foodbanks. Our members worked through the pandemic to help protect their communities, taking on extra duties to do so.
'A further real-terms pay cut is an absolutely disgusting way to thank them. Whilst strike action is always a last resort, our members simply can't go on like this.'
Who is going on strike and when?
Civil servants: Around 100,000 civil servants have voted for a national strike over pay, pensions and jobs, the PCS union has announced. The dates are TBC.
Nurses: Strikes are expected to begin in early December and could take place over two dates, potentially a Tuesday and a Thursday. They could last until early May 2023.
Bus drivers: The workers will strike on November 22, 25, and 26 and on December 1, 2, 3, 9, 10, 16 and 17.
Rail workers: Drivers working for 12 British train operators will go on strike on November 26 in an ongoing dispute over pay
Postal workers: Take national strike action on Thursday 24 and Friday 25 November and for Wednesday 30 November and Thursday 1 December 2022.
Britain is facing a winter of discontent after 100,000 civil servants voted to strike as comrades on the rail network agreed new dates and nurses decided on taking industrial action for the first time in more than a century
Firefighters have rejected five per cent pay offer making strike action more likely
Fire Brigades Union (FBU) said members voted by 79 per cent against the offer
It comes amid a wave of action after nurses and civil servants balloted for strike
By ELENA SALVONI FOR MAILONLINE
14 November 2022
Firefighters have overwhelmingly rejected a five per cent pay offer, making strike action in the service increasingly likely.
The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) said members voted by 79 per cent against the 'disgusting' pay offer and that it would fail to support firefighters, some of whom have turned to foodbanks.
The union's executive will now decide the next step, which is expected to be a ballot on strike action.
It comes amid a wave of industrial action across the public sector and amongst key workers - with nurses, civil servants, train drivers and postal workers all balloting for action or going on strike in recent weeks.
Members of the Fire Brigades Union have overwhelmingly rejected a five per cent pay offer. Pictured here taking part in a demonstration outside the Scottish Parliament in October
The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) encouraged its 300,000 members to back strikes over the Government's 'insulting' pay offer — which amounts to roughly 4 per cent, or £1,400.
It confirmed last week that around 100 hospitals in England will be affected by the disruption.
Hundreds of thousands of nurses are set to walk out across the UK before Christmas in a bid for a 17.6 per cent pay rise and better working conditions.
Health Secretary Steve Barclay said the action is 'neither reasonable nor affordable' and that the request rise would 'turbocharge inflation'.
Around 100,000 civil servants also voted to strike this week in a dispute over pay, pensions and jobs.
Chancellor Jeremy Hunt has been reported to be considering a limit on public sector pay rises to just 2 per cent in 2023/24, a move which would see a real terms pay cut as inflation hovers around 10 per cent.
The Chancellor's Autumn statement will reveal all on Thursday, but he has warned Brits that he will have to make 'horrible' decisions as he tries to rescue the economy.
FBU general secretary Matt Wrack, said after the news was announced: 'FBU members have spoken'. Pictured here at a rally earlier this month
Public sector workers' pay will only be decided next year, with the Chancellor set to give an outline this week of what different departments will be able to afford.
In the latest show of workers' discontent amid the cost of living crisis, the FBU said it's members' vote has shown 'there is remarkable strength of feeling amongst firefighters and control staff on this derisory pay offer'.
FBU general secretary Matt Wrack, said: 'FBU members have spoken.
'The ball is in the employers' and Government's court. There is still an opportunity to resolve this dispute and we will be writing to Fire Ministers and Government departments across the UK requesting urgent meetings.
'We have firefighters using foodbanks. Our members worked through the pandemic to help protect their communities, taking on extra duties to do so.
'A further real-terms pay cut is an absolutely disgusting way to thank them. Whilst strike action is always a last resort, our members simply can't go on like this.'
Who is going on strike and when?
Civil servants: Around 100,000 civil servants have voted for a national strike over pay, pensions and jobs, the PCS union has announced. The dates are TBC.
Nurses: Strikes are expected to begin in early December and could take place over two dates, potentially a Tuesday and a Thursday. They could last until early May 2023.
Bus drivers: The workers will strike on November 22, 25, and 26 and on December 1, 2, 3, 9, 10, 16 and 17.
Rail workers: Drivers working for 12 British train operators will go on strike on November 26 in an ongoing dispute over pay
Postal workers: Take national strike action on Thursday 24 and Friday 25 November and for Wednesday 30 November and Thursday 1 December 2022.
Britain is facing a winter of discontent after 100,000 civil servants voted to strike as comrades on the rail network agreed new dates and nurses decided on taking industrial action for the first time in more than a century
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