Firefighters set dates for strike action

The UK's 55,000 firefighters are set to launch a series of strikes following a nine-to-one vote in favour by Fire Brigades Union members on Friday.

After the vote, in which 87.6% of those balloted favoured strike action over demands for a 40% hike in wages, the FBU Executive Council outlined action for two 48-hour strikes followed by four eight-day strikes beginning on Tuesday October 29. The first of the eight-day strikes begins on November 6.

Andy Gilchrist, FBU General Secretary, described the ballot as a "phenomenal result", but added that the government could still halt the action.

Mr Gilchrist said: "It is still not too late for this dispute to be resolved; the government now has 10 days to wind-up their discredited, farcical review to allow negotiations to take place and enable the dispute to be resolved before any lives are put at risk."

The SDLP voiced its support for the strike action, and equality spokesperson Patricia Lewsley said: "It is unfair for the British government to lay a guilt trip on the fire service. This is a last resort and a difficult decision for firefighters to make. They are taking a stand for what they rightfully deserve – professional pay for a professional service."

FBU members were balloted for a series of discontinuous strikes in support of their claim for a £30,000 salary for firefighters and emergency fire control staff, with full pay parity for firefighters working the retained duty system. The union also called for a new pay formula to maintain these levels for the future.

Responding to Friday's vote, Fire Service Minister Nick Raynsford said the pay claim is "fantasy not fairness", and said that the proposed action will "put people's lives at risk and is totally unnecessary and pointless".

The government has said that other public sector pay settlements are currently running at one point above the 2% inflation rate, and the FBU pay demands would cause a precedent whereby interest rates would go up and less money would be available for health and education services if other professions were to follow the firefighters' lead.

A pay review, headed by Sir George Bain, has been tasked by the government to examine the current pay structure and is expected to report back in mid-December. The government has offered an interim pay rise of 4% until the Sir George Bain reports on his findings.

The FBU has said it is prepared to discuss contingency plans with the government in the event of a major disaster/terrorist attack occurring whilst the Fire Service is on strike.

Currently, professional firefighters are paid £21,531 per annum and pay is linked to a national formula which was borne out of the UK's only fire service strike in 1977.

(GMcG)