Merseyside FBU members are being balloted on industrial action short of a strike over attacks on their terms and conditions.
The ballot asks if members want to stop undertaking any pre-arranged overtime for up to six months. The ballot and any action that might follow are separate from the current national pay dispute.
Issues which have led to the ballot are:
● Non-agreed expansion of the firefighter role in contracts for all new entrants
● An imposed reduction in night-time control staffing
● Introduction of new duty systems without negotiation
● Apprentices being required to attend the workplace outside core hours.
Ian Hibbert, FBU Merseyside brigade secretary, said:
“Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service’s continued refusal to abide by locally and nationally agreed negotiation procedures has left Merseyside FBU members with little choice but to ballot for action short of strike. FBU members do not take industrial action lightly, but we can no longer stand by as our terms and conditions of service are attacked and eroded.”
The ballot closes on Friday 11 November.
