Firefighters across all workplaces, duty systems, ranks and roles have responded angrily to a 2% pay offer from fire and rescue employers.
Following an extensive membership consultation and reflecting the outcomes, the union’s executive council unanimously rejected the offer and has agreed to develop a campaign for decent pay, including the need to prepare for strike action
The 2% pay offer came at a time when inflation had reached 9.1% , and follows huge cuts to firefighters’ real world pay over many years. Between 2009 and 2021, firefighters’ real terms pay has been cut by 12%, or nearly £4,000.
FBU general secretary Matt Wrack said that the offer was “utterly inadequate and would deliver a further cut in real wages to firefighters in all roles in the midst of the cost of living crisis”.
Wrack added: “This latest insulting proposal follows 12 years of government-imposed reductions in real wages.
“This proposal will anger firefighters across all workplaces, duty systems and ranks/roles.
“It is galling to be insulted in this way, especially after our contribution to public safety during the pandemic.”
Since the pay offer was announced members across the country have been meeting to discuss the matter.
A number of chief fire officers have written to their staff saying they want to pay more. Why then did most of them only budget for a 2% pay rise?
The reports from local meetings in this article are a sample of what was basically a universal response at all the meetings held.
East Midlands regional secretary Adam Taylor attended a branch meeting in Corby, Northamptonshire, and tweeted that: “Firefighters know their worth. Last night it was no different. Unanimous rejection of the insulting offer”.
Nearby Derbyshire brigade organiser Dan Carter reported that members at Swadlincote unanimously rejected the pay offer and stated that “members are disappointed that the government isn’t recognising their value”.
Elsewhere, FBU Durham reported that the Spennymoor branch had “great engagement from members” and that there was “another unanimous rejection of the 2% pay offer”.
FBU Manchester said that there was “great” attendance at a Broughton branch meeting and that there was “lots of discussion around the derisory pay offer”.
The union has written to the national fire employers to inform them of the anger and frustration their proposal has created and sought confirmation that they have written to and met with the Westminster fire minister to request additional funding in order to make a realistic offer.It has made the same point to the National Fire Chiefs Council.
Finally, the FBU has written to government ministers and departments, including those in devolved authorities, to seek urgent additional funding to enable fire and rescue employers to make a reasonable offer.
