Firefighters and firefighter control staff are preparing for a ballot for strike action, following consultation in Fire Brigade Union branches and a meeting of the union’s executive council which was held on 2 September. 

The decision follows firefighters and firefighter control staff receiving a 2% annual pay offer on 27 June, which has not been increased despite union representations to multiple parties. The Fire Brigades Union pointed out that inflation has been measured at 10.1%, meaning that such a pay offer represents a significant real-terms pay cut. 

The aim is for the ballot to be held in five weeks’ time. 

Matt Wrack, general secretary of the Fire Brigades Union, said: “Taking strike action is always a last resort. But our employers are increasingly leaving us with no choice. And there is huge anger among firefighters at falling pay. 

“Firefighters must be paid fairly: there is absolutely no question when it comes to this. It is the responsibility of fire service employers to provide decent pay offers and that has not happened.

“The ball is now in the fire service employers’ court. It is not too late for them to make a much better pay offer for consideration by our members.”