Menu
21/10/2002
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)
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)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
25 April 2024
Stena Line Launches 'Women's Port Taster Day'
Northern Irish women interested in a career in the maritime industry are being invited to attend a 'taster day' at Stena Line's Belfast Harbour terminal, as part of a campaign to encourage them to pursue a career as a Port Service Operative.
Stena Line Launches 'Women's Port Taster Day'
Northern Irish women interested in a career in the maritime industry are being invited to attend a 'taster day' at Stena Line's Belfast Harbour terminal, as part of a campaign to encourage them to pursue a career as a Port Service Operative.
25 April 2024
Other News In Brief
22-Year-Old Sentenced For 'Behaviour Likely To Stir Up Hatred' A 22-year-old man has been sentenced to 240 hours of community service for the offence of 'behaviour likely to stir up hatred', after a video was posted online in June 2023, showing people singing an offensive song relating to Michaela McAreavey.
Other News In Brief
22-Year-Old Sentenced For 'Behaviour Likely To Stir Up Hatred' A 22-year-old man has been sentenced to 240 hours of community service for the offence of 'behaviour likely to stir up hatred', after a video was posted online in June 2023, showing people singing an offensive song relating to Michaela McAreavey.
25 April 2024
BCC Welcomes Conviction Of Belfast Man For Dog Attack
Belfast City Council (BCC) has welcomed the conviction of a man at Belfast Magistrates Court for an offence involving a dog attack on a woman. BCC brought the prosecution against 43-year-old Stuart Grace, of Forthriver Crescent, Belfast, following a report that Mr Grace’s German Shepherd dog had attacked a woman, injuring her arm and back.
BCC Welcomes Conviction Of Belfast Man For Dog Attack
Belfast City Council (BCC) has welcomed the conviction of a man at Belfast Magistrates Court for an offence involving a dog attack on a woman. BCC brought the prosecution against 43-year-old Stuart Grace, of Forthriver Crescent, Belfast, following a report that Mr Grace’s German Shepherd dog had attacked a woman, injuring her arm and back.
10 September 2002
MLA's call for new firefighters pay scheme
Two UUP MLA's have called on the Northern Ireland Executive to implement a new pay scheme for Ulster's firefighters. North Antrim UUP MLA the Rev Robert Coulter called for the introduction of a new pay formula in a motion to the Assembly on Monday. Mr Coulter said he hoped it would help achieve a real remedy to the question of firefighter’s pay.
MLA's call for new firefighters pay scheme
Two UUP MLA's have called on the Northern Ireland Executive to implement a new pay scheme for Ulster's firefighters. North Antrim UUP MLA the Rev Robert Coulter called for the introduction of a new pay formula in a motion to the Assembly on Monday. Mr Coulter said he hoped it would help achieve a real remedy to the question of firefighter’s pay.
24 May 2021
Hovis Workers Agree Increased Pay Offer
A majority of Hovis workers have accepted an increased pay offer and strike action has now ended. Unite the union welcomed the offer and said it was as "decisive victory for workforce achieved through collective organisation and industrial militancy".
Hovis Workers Agree Increased Pay Offer
A majority of Hovis workers have accepted an increased pay offer and strike action has now ended. Unite the union welcomed the offer and said it was as "decisive victory for workforce achieved through collective organisation and industrial militancy".
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Showers will gradually die out during the evening. A cold night with long clear spells leading to a touch of frost in places. Light winds. Minimum temperature 0 °C.
