FBU to ballot members on pay rise
Negotiators from the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) met last night for further discussions on the two-stage pay rise dispute.
Firefighters were told by employers to back a non-negotiable agreement over the seven per cent rise or face further delayed payments.
The executive of the FBU, meeting near Sheffield, decided to hold a fresh ballot on the deal.
The FBU said a ballot would be held within the next three weeks.
Furious firefighters claim local employers have reneged on the deal brokered in June. The deal pledged a seven per cent rise due at the end of November, followed by a further increase of 4.2 per cent next summer, taking firefighter’s pay to GBP25,000.
But if firefighters reject the deal, it is likely that a further ballot will be held on whether to strike.
Local authority employers, who met separately in London last night, remain unmoved on their position.
They said seven per cent would be paid in full after the deal was fully audited in the New Year.
Unofficial action took place last week involving about 35 of the UK’s 56 brigades, with firefighters only answering 999 calls.
