The Fire Brigades Union in Wales says the first planned strike could take place on the 23rd of February as members plan to walk out over pay. But no specific strike days have yet been officially announced. The union has given the UK government 10 days to come forward with an improved pay offer to avoid industrial action.
The Fire Brigades Union , the UK’s largest union for firefighters, announced yesterday their members had voted to strike for the first time since 2003.
Their members overwhelmingly voted in support of strike action after rejecting a 5% pay increase last November.
The acting regional secretary for the FBU in Wales Duncan Stewart-Ball told CJS News their members have voted on every pay offer they’ve received and will continue to vote on any future offers.
He went on to stress that any improved pay offer would delay strikes as members would have to vote.
Our members have made it clear that they will not be accepting 5%, but if an increased pay offer came in I would imagine there would be a delay because it would have to go to the membership to see if that was acceptable
Duncan Stewart-Ball, acting regional secretary for the FBU in Wales
A Welsh Government spokesperson said “The Welsh Government has no involvement in firefighters’ pay, which is set at a UK level in discussions between employers and unions.
“We hope both sides can make progress in next week’s discussions so the need for industrial action can be averted.”
A UK Government spokesperson told us “We are extremely disappointed with the Fire Brigades Union decision to strike. We are committed to keeping the public safe and have robust contingency plans in place.
“We are working closely with the National Fire Chiefs Council and partners to manage the impact of strike action, whilst ensuring we can continue to deliver vital services to the public.”